DYNAMICS OF PASTORAL CONFLICTS ON EDUCATION MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KERIO VALLEY REGION OF MARAKWET EAST SUB-COUNTY ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY

Abstract

Conflicts have been occurring between pastoralist communities over access to resources such as land, water, and grazing. These conflicts have been violent, causing a devastating impact on the lives of pastoralists. The social infrastructures that have previously been built in the region have been destroyed by these conflicts. Teachers and residents have been forced to leave these conflicting zones because they fear an invasion, for instance, the educational system is disrupted. In the Kerio Valley area of the Marakwet East sub-county of Elgeyo Marakwet County, the public primary schools were the subject of a research to examine how pastoral disputes influenced the management of education in those institutions. This was guided by the following objectives; to determine the prevalence of pastoral conflicts and its effect on education management, to determine the effect of socio-political and economic marginalization on education management; To investigate land tenure policies and its effect on Education Management in public primary schools as well as to investigate extent of proliferation of arms and weapons and its effect on Education Management in public primary schools in Kerio Valley region of Marakwet East sub-county, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The research was influenced by system theory by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy. A descriptive survey design was employed. The intended audience consisted of 420 respondents, including 200 families, 190 teachers, and 30 head teachers. The sample size was determined by random sampling techniques and consisted of 205 individuals. To collect quantitative data, head teachers, teachers, and houses filled out questionnaires and interview schedules for qualitative data. Theme analysis was employed for qualitative data while descriptive and inferential analysis was used in quantitative data. Tables were used to present the information. The study's findings showed a substantial positive correlation between pastoral conflict frequency (β1=0.666 and p=0.000), and socio-political and economic marginalization (β2=0.458 and p=0.000), land tenure policies (β3=0.328 and p=0.000) and proliferation of arms and weapons (β4=0.197 and p=0.000) and education management in Marakwet East sub-county. The study came to the conclusion that there was a positive correlation between the administration of education in the Marakwet East sub-county and the reduction of pastoral conflict, socio-political marginalization, economic marginalization, land tenure policies, and the proliferation of ammunition and weaponry. To reduce potential disputes, the head teachers and teachers should work together with the surrounding communities to manage the school's land. The Ministry of Education should make investments in the area's educational infrastructure and include local residents in its administration