Effects of hidden costs of education on participation rates in public primary schools in Marafa Division, Malindi District

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of hidden costs of education on participation rates or pupils in public primary schools in Marafa division of Malindi district. The study was based on the fact that despite the government's commitments to Universal Primary Education (UrE) through provision of Free Primary Education (FPE), there were direct and indirect costs associated with going to school which most parents were not able to cope with. These costs constrain participation rates of pupils in public primary schools in the division. Hence the division was witnessing problems of declining enrolment and completion rates in public primary schools. The study utilized descripti ve survey research design. The target popular ion consisted of all the 24 head teachers and all the 720 class eight pupils in the 24 public primary schools in Marafa division. Also targeted in the study were all the dropouts from the public primary schools from 2006 to 2008. Marafa Division was stratified into two zones that is, Marafa zone and Garashi zone. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 18 schools; 12 schools from Marafa zone ancl 6 schools from Garash zone. All the 18 head teachers in the sampled schools were included as respondents in the study. A total of 216 pupils (126 boys and 90 girls) participated in the study. A convenient sample of 10 primary school drop outs since 2006 to 2008 was selected from each zone to participate in focus group discussions. Qualitative data from open ended items on the questionnaire and focus group discussion were post coded to allow quantitative analysis. The coded and quantitative data were descriptively analyzed question by question along the research questions using frequency tallies and percentages. Data processing was done using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) programme. The findings were presented using frequency distribution tables and pie charts. The research data analyzed showed that although the government was providing FPE there were school levies passed to parents. These levies were unaffordable to poor parents who either never enrolled their children to school or if they did withdrew them before completing the primary school cycle. This led to low enrolment and completion rates in public primary schools in the division. Opportunity costs also led to low participation in primary education in the area. Those who never enrolled in school or dropped out were engaged in child labour which earned their families extra income. There were more boys enrolled in public primary schools in the division because of cultural beliefs that placed boys at an advantage when it came to accessing education opportunities also girls were expected to contribute to child care or home production at a much earlier age then boys. Ninety percent of the public primary schools did not have school feeding programme in Marafa Division. Lack of food increased the frequency of absenteeism and at long last some pupils dropped out of school. Most pupils walked to school (96%) and hence there was an insignificant