Resolving inner cultural conflicts toward education in pastoral East Africa: A grounded theory study

Abstract

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explain the perceptions of semi-nomadic pastoralists in East Africa, who self-identified as having the characteristics of the most vulnerable, and who were educationally successful. This study identified motivating factors that contributed to resiliency while in the pursuit of an education. Findings suggest that even though students from this background utilize these motivating factors they are still faced with inner cultural tensions that can be insurmountable. Emergent theory suggests that inner cultural conflicts toward education are resolved when push/pull factors were combined with a sense of something beyond themselves, allowing for transcultural migration. © 2013: Timothy Keiper, Janvier Rugira, and Nova Southeastern University.