The factors associated with low levels of education among women: A case of Mikango Barracks

The main objective of the study was to find out the factors that contribute to low
levels of education among women focusing deliberately on those married to soldiers.
The population consisted of all the women in Mikango barracks who are married to soldiers. A total sample of one hundred women married to soldiers of different
ranks was selected for the study. The selected sample comprised wives to
Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants, Sergeants, Corporals and Lance Corporals.
Apart from that there were one hundred married soldiers chosen and one hundred pupils who served as informants. In addition, the Regimental Commander was interviewed and two (2) focus group discussions were held with eight women in each group to get more in-depth data.
The investigations and findings revealed that the majority of the women in the
study did not advance to higher levels of education except attaining basic
education. The main reason advanced was largely lack of support in accessing
education that forced them into early marriages. A few found themselves
pregnant and hence curtailed their progression to higher levels, whilst a few
others failed to make it after doing badly in the examinations. Generally lack of
support, early marriages, pregnancies, failing examinations, lack of interest and
husbands themselves were found to be the factors associated with low levels of
education among Mikango women married to soldiers. Despite all this, it was
found that women wanted their children to go further in their education as they
fully supported them and gave them encouragement.
Based on the findings on the inhibiting factors on why women exhibited low
levels of education in the barracks, the researcher presented some recommendations to counter the above factors, which include that the barracks administration should put in place programmes that should effectively promote the advancement of women to higher levels of education and ensure that they
are implemented through a workable mechanism. In addition, to achieve societal change, the administration at Mikango Barracks should sensitise husbands to ensure that they encourage and support their wives
to advance to higher levels of education. They should adjust to social change
realising that the 21st century is a knowledge-driven economy and education is
an essential element for survival.
The report concludes with a view that access to higher levels of education for women in the barracks could promote development and widen their acceptability and social status in the communities they are found.