Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of government subsidy on the key determinants of
educational attainment and the challenges in their implementation. The specific objectives of the study are; to
find out the effect of subsidy on school buildings and infrastructure, to determine the influence of FDSE on
enrolment and performance in KCSE and to determine the challenges facing the implementation of FDSE. The
study adopted a mixed method design. The target population included education officials and principals of high
schools. The respondents were selected using purposive, and simple random sampling technique and the
instruments for data collection were questionnaire and interview schedule. Data was analyzed using descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that irrespective of the geographical location of
schools, subsidies have a positive and significant effect on the indicators of educational attainments. The study
therefore amplifies the need for the government to streamline the public subsidization policy in view of
expectations of sessional paper no 1 of 2005, vision 2030, and the global imperatives namely MDGs and EFA
goals.
