Macharia, Mercy2024-09-272024-09-272024-05https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/28937A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters of Education (Educational Planning) in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning of Kenyatta University, May 2024. Supervisors 1. Norbert Ogeta 2. Wilson MutumaParents’ socio-economic status plays an important role in ensuring high internal efficiency in schools by ensuring that students are enrolled, transit and compel their education. However, in Gatundu North Sub-county, the situation is different since many public secondary schools register low internal efficiency. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of parental socio-economic status on internal efficiency in public secondary schools in Gatundu North Sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to determine the extent to which parents’ level of education, income, occupations and family size influence internal efficiency in public secondary schools. The Education Production Function theory guided the study. The study adopted a mixed methodology and used descriptive survey research design. Target population was 831 respondents that comprised 34 principals, 438 teachers and 359 parents’ representatives from which a sample of 270 was obtained using Yamane’s Formula. Quantitative data were collected using teachers’ questionnaires while interview guides were used to collect qualitative data from principals and parents’ representatives. Piloting study was conducted among 27 respondents from public secondary schools in Gatundu North Sub-county to ascertain validity and reliability of research tools. Validity was ascertained through data triangulation with the help of university supervisors and experts in planning and economics of education. Reliability was determined using the test re-test method and reliability coefficient, r = 0.725, established using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Method. Data analysis began by identification of common themes. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the objectives and presented in narrative forms and verbatims. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. Inferential analysis was also undertaken using of linear regression analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables. The study established that internal efficiency in many public secondary schools is low with many students who get enrolled in Form I not able to complete their secondary education. This is attributed to aspects of parents’ socio-economic status such as level of education, income, occupations and family size. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should organize seminars and workshops to sensitize parents on their role as stakeholders in education. Parents should plan their incomes well so that they can effectively support the academic activities of their children. The Ministry of Health and the Division of National Family Planning should continue with their efforts to teach people on the essence of bring forth families they can manage.enThesis