A study on the factors influencing enrolment and completion rates in public secondary schools in Meru North District, Kenya J

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the factors influencing enrolment and completion rates in public secondary schools in Meru North District. To address the question of education efficiently studies of this nature are very vital since they will Show whether the inputs (students) put into education reflect the outputs expected. Evidence from the ground indicated cases of non-enrolment of students in form one and non-completion in form four. This therefore translates into some degree of education inefficiency.

The study targeted 34 public secondary schools in the district whose headteachers and form four students participated in the study. Twenty schools were used and stratified random sampling was used to determine the categories of schools that constituted the sample. In total 20 headteachers and 300 form four students participated in the study. The study also elicited responses from parents who were randomly selected from three households neighbouring the selected schools. A total of 60 parents participated. Data was collected through administration of questionnaires to the headteachers, students and parents.

Analysis of data revealed several factors that contribute to non-enrolment and non­

completion of students in form one and form four respectively. They are: " Inability to pay schools fees Opportunity costs

Poverty levels

Gender issues

Initiation ceremonies and traditions

10} Indiscipline

Policies and politics within education sector

Position of a student in the family

Overloaded curriculum

Lack of school uniform. Other factors are: Lack of parental interest in education

Early marriages

f) Students individual problems like drug abuse and peer influence

The study also aimed at investigating the roles that can be played by headteachers and parents in promoting rates of enrolment and completion. These are]: o Sensitising the community on need for education for their children

Designing a market strategy to popularise that school through effective implementation of curricular activities Proper guidance and counselling to the children

(f) Mobilising the community to assist needy students.

Finally the study sought to investigate the recommendations and strategies which if adopted could promote enrolment and completion rates. The recommendations were: Intervention of government in scrutinising the fees charged by public secondary schools. increment and proper allocation of bursary funds Setting up community based programmes to address educational matters

I) Allowing students who drop out back to school so long as they are willing

Increasing the number of secondary schools and mostly day schools which are relatively cheaper Introduction of free secondary education.

With the above findings, the researcher puts the challenge to all stakeholders into field of education to act to eradicate the problem of non-enrolment and non-completion. The suggestions for further research are:

A replication of this study using a larger sample of secondary schools.

A study on the role of head teachers in promoting enrolment and completion rates in public secondary schools. e A study on where the drop outs who never go back to school end so that they can be assisted in becoming important to the society.