Cost Reduction Strategies for Access and Retention Boost in Secondary Education in Mathira West Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Secondary School Education has become unaffordable for many households in Kenya. This study sought to determine the strategies of reducing the cost of secondary school education in order to boost access and retention in Mathira West Sub-county in Kenya. The study used descriptive survey design. The principals of all 16 public secondary schools in Mathira West Sub-county filled up questionnaires and the researcher carried out an interview with 16 Parents Teachers Association members, one from each school. Observation and document analysis were also used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. All respondents agreed that secondary schools are financed through cost sharing between government and parents. 62.5% and 68.75% of principals and PTA members respectively agreed that hire of school hall as the main revenue generating venture in their schools. 68.75% and 62.5% of PTA members and principals respectively indicated that revenue from income generating projects was not adequate. The study concluded that the schools have adopted income generating projects to subsidise secondary school education. The study recommended that the secondary schools need to diversify their income generating projects and the public private partnerships should be increased to include other forms to include services such as education management and provision of support services.

Key words: Cost Reduction, Access, Retention, Mathira West Sub-county.