Factors Influencing Boy Child Retention in Public Secondary Education in Nyamira Sub-County, Kenya

Despite the fact that the government of Kenya has introduced free day secondary education (FDSE) many school going aged students are at home, also repetition and dropout rate continues to rise. Although many studies have been carried out in other parts of Kenya, none has investigated the factors behind the increased dropout rate of the boy child in secondary education particularly in Nyamira Sub County. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors facing the boy child’s retention in secondary education in Nyamira Sub County. The objectives of the study were: to find the extent to which household factors and school factors influence retention of the boy child in public day secondary education. The study used mixed methods research design.This study was guided by systems theory of organizations in an attempt to find out selected factors that influenced boy child’s retention to secondary education in Nyamira Sub County together with a conceptual framework.The units of analysis were 33 public day secondary schools. The target population was 33 principals, 33 HODs guidance and counseling, 33 Chairpersons of Parents association (PA), 47 Class teachers, 2 ZQASOs and 1935 students. Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table was used to select a sample of 28 principals, 28 chair persons of PA and 28 HODs G/C, 42 class teachers and 321 students selected through stratified random sampling, and 2DQASOs were picked out through purposive sampling. Questionnaires, Interview schedule and document analysis were used to collect data which was analyzed and coding done before data analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using regression data analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed in an ongoing process as themes and sub themes emerged from the study. On the issue of household factors facing the boy child, the study revealed that family income, labour needed at home and level of education of parents were critical. On the concern about school related factors severe punishment, promotion standards, cost of education and lunch fees balance were the main factors. The study results would be used to provide useful information to the policy makers on the implementation of workable strategies that will promote boys’ education and provide a basis upon which other related studies can be anchored. It was concluded that the household factors greatly influenced boy child retention in secondary education. Information gathered would contribute to knowledge by analyzing factors and situations that limit boychild retention in secondary education. A study on the role of parents on public day secondary education in Nyamira Sub County would expound the present study.