Influence of Household Food Insufficiency on Learners’ Enrolment in Public Junior Schools in Voi Sub-County, Taita Taveta County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate influence of household food insufficiency on learners’ enrolment in public junior schools in Voi sub-county, Taita Taveta county, Kenya. It was guided by one research question: To what extent does insufficient household food influence learners’ enrolment? The study was anchored on Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory. A mixed methods approach, with convergent design was employed. The target population comprised of 45 public junior schools, 45 heads of institutions, 3,276 learners, 274 junior school teachers, 620 parents, and one sub-county director of education in Voi sub-county. Sample size included: 10 public junior schools which were selected using stratified and random sampling, 328 learners selected using systematic sampling, 73 teachers selected using simple random sampling, 10 heads of institutions were selected using criterion purposive sampling, and 1 SCDE selected using criterion purposive sampling. Data collection instruments included: questionnaires for teachers, interview guides for heads institutions and SCDE, and focus groups discussion guide for learners. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 28 for descriptive and inferential statistics, and NVivo for thematic analysis of qualitative data. Research instruments were validated through face validity, and reliability ensured using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.80. Findings were presented in tables and graphs. Ethical considerations were observed. The study may find that household food insufficiency negatively influences learners’ enrolment through increased absenteeism, reduced school participation, and delayed entry into junior schools. It may conclude that food insecurity remains a significant barrier to educational access. The study recommends strengthening school feeding programmes, supporting vulnerable households, and promoting community-based interventions to improve learners’ enrolment and retention.