Analysis Of The Effects Of Subsidized Secondary School Education On Access And Participation: A Case Of Manga District, Nyamira County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the effects of subsidized secondary education on access and participation in public secondary schools in Manga district. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine enrolments in public secondary schools before and after implementation of Subsidized Secondary Education(SSE), effects of SSE in Manga district and strategies for improving the implementation of SSE in the district. Literature on financing secondary education in the world, financing secondary education in Africa and financing secondary education in Kenya. The study was done in Manga district which has 26 secondary schools within the three divisions. In the study 26 principals and 50 class teachers were put into a strata through stratified sampling. A total of 15 principals, 30 class teachers were selected for the study using proportionate random sampling and District Education Officer was involved in the study through purposive sampling. The questionnaires and interview schedule were the main instruments used in data collection. Two questionnaires were used i.e. a questionnaire for the principals and class teachers. Interview schedule was used in collecting data from the District Education Officer (DEO). Data collected was coded and then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings of this study include; increase in enrolment and improved retention of students. Inadequate tuition facilities understaffing of teachers, indifference of education stakeholders in supervisory and development roles, delay by Ministry of Education to disburse SSE funds and poor tendering procedures and systems were found to be the major challenges that face SSE programme. The study recommended that; government to consider allocating more funds to SSE programme on its annual budget, school managers should be given regular training on financial management. Teachers Service Commission to employ more teachers, government should consider reducing or abolishing the many levies charged, Ministry of Education to facilitate timely disbursement of SSE funds to schools and ensure proper and regular monitoring by the field officers to eliminate pilferage of SSE funds.