Private cost of education and its effect on retention in public secondary schools in Homa Bay County, Kenya
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Date
2023-02
Authors
Ogolla, David Otieno
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta university
Abstract
This research focused on determining which effect the private cost of education has on the secondary school learners’ retention in Homa-Bay County, Kenya. Three objectives guided this research: To identify the effect of direct cost of education on retention of public secondary schools’ learners, to determine the effect of the opportunity cost on retention of students of public secondary learning institutions and to determine the strategies required to improve on retention of learners in public highschools in Ndhiwa. Descriptive study design was applied. Theoretical framework adopt Classical liberal theory of equal opportunity. The study involved a target population of 9204 respondents which constituted 49 principals, 9002 secondary school students and 153 “boda boda” business people. Purposive sampling for principals and simple random sampling for Boda boda business people and learners were used in selection of the respondents during the research. The size of sample for this study included 209 respondents that was determined using Yamane formula. This comprised of 49 principals, 99 learners of secondary school, and 61 “boda boda” business people. Principals’ questionnaires, student’s questionnaires and Focused Group Discussion guide for the “Boda Boda” business people were employed in the collection of primary data. A pilot study was conducted from 2 public secondary learning institutions involving 2 principals and 15 students. It also included 6 “boda boda” business people. The questionnaires’ validity and interview guide identified by the expert’s judgment. Determination of the relationship of the results computed by the spearman product moment’s formula was employed to ascertain how reliable the questionnaires were. Analysis of Quantitative data was done via descriptive statistics like percentages, frequencies and tables. Thematic approach was utilized to analyse qualitative data. The research identified that: cost of boarding got an important influence on retention, cost of lunch affects learners’ retention in public secondary schools in Ndhiwa Sub County and opportunity cost and its effects on retention of students in public secondary schools in Ndhiwa Sub County. The study concluded that private cost of education like cost of boarding, lunch and opportunity cost hinder retention of leaners in state-owned secondary schools in Ndhiwa Sub-county. This research came up with recommendations, including: Income generating projects should be established by the management of school so as to enable them lower the private cost of learning for parents. In addition, the study proposed that the Kenyan education authority should increase the level of financing secondary education so as to reduce some burden of private cost of education for parents in attempt to improve retention of students. The policy makers should come up with policies regulating boda boda business such that under 18 years are strictly prohibited from indulging into this business.
Description
A research thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of master of education (economics of education) in the school of education of Kenyatta University, February 2023
Keywords
Private, cost of education, retention, public secondary schools, Homa Bay County, Kenya