Kande, Lucy Wanjiru2013-10-052013-10-052013-10-05http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7413Department of Educational Management Policy & Curriculum Studies, 75p. : ill The LC 55.K4K31 2007The purpose of this study was to investigate private schools' involvement in the provision of secondary school education in Nyandarua District. The statement of the problem is that demand for secondary education in Kenya is high whereas the corresponding supply is low. The nature of education as a quasi - public good necessitates that it be provided from both public and private sources. Due to financial constraints, the government is notable to wholly meet the educational demand for its population. The secondary education level is much affected because there is disequilibrium in that demand far surpasses supply. Private sector participation if given the enabling policy environment plays a complementary role in the provision of education and thus attempts to bridge the demand - supply gap. Literature was reviewed in three categories: Demand for secondary education, ability of the government to meet the demand for secondary education and private sector involvement in supply of education. This study was carried out in Nyandarua District. Descriptive survey design wasadopted to conduct the study. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and Focus Group Discussion. The study had a total of 35 respondents that included 13head teachers, 4 proprietors, parent representatives for each class in 4 schools, Nyandarua D.E.O. and District Inspector of schools in charge of Secondary section. Validity of the instruments was determined through consultation with the supervisors and in departmental and faculty seminars. Reliability was determined through split half method by use of Spearman-Brown Correlation formula. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and presented in means, frequency distributions, and percentages. Some of the major findings included: the 13 schools have an enrolment of 1952 students, their major roles are supplementing what is offered by government schools as well as offering more placement for secondary schools, some of the obstacles were lack of funds, high inflation of teaching-learning materials and lack of teachers. The conclusions included: school equipment cost need to be subsidized, bright but needy students require consideration in bursaries, Government to provide political goodwill and lower bank loan interests to help the proprietors. Major recommendations included: government to create a conducive economical environment thereby enhancing private schools involvement in improving access to secondary school education, there should be strong supervisory structures to ensure quality education, private schools to enjoy tax rebates on land rates and teaching learning materials and bursary funds to be extended to the schools to help needy but bright students.enThesis