Factors influencing the implementation of subsidized Secondary Education in public secondary schools: A case of Kericho District in Rift Valley Province, Kenya.

Abstract

The GoK has faced the problem of low transition rate from primary schools in its secondary school sub-sector due to fee payments and thus the provision of Subsidized Secondary Education. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the implementation of this Subsidized Secondary Education in Kericho district. This Study was based on the Social Systems Theory which states that when one part of the social system is affected, a ripple goes through the system. The objectives of the study included establishing the support mechanisms available and the availability of physical infrastructure in secondary schools for the implementation of Subsidized Secondary Education. The study adopted a Survey Method of Research. The Sampling Designs that were used included; Simple Random, Systematic and Stratified Random Sampling. The data was collected by use of Questionnaires, Interviews, and Document Analysis. Data for the study were collected from 566 respondents that included 16 headteachers, 99 class teachers, 449 students of public secondary schools, and 2 DQASOs. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. This included frequencies, means, standard deviations, and percentages. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme formed part of the analysis. The study found out that public secondary schools in the district have inadequate support mechanisms to aid implementation of SSE and that secondary schools in the district suffer acute teacher shortages. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations from this study will be useful in reviewing and streamlining Subsidized Secondary Education in public secondary schools.