Socio- Economic Factors and Students Retention and Completion rates in Public Secondary Schools in Kilifi County, Kenya

Susan Murage; Joseph Kisaka

doi:10.2022/ajest.v2i2.287

Susan Murage Department of Educational Administration, Economics & Planning, School of Education, Pwani University, P.O Box 195, Kilifi
Joseph Kisaka Department of Educational Foundations School of Education, Pwani University P.O. Box 195, Kilifi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2022/ajest.v2i2.287

Keywords: Educational Background, Occupation, Gender, Family Size, Households, Retention Rates

Abstract

Retention and completion rates of students in schools remain one of the challenges that the government of Kenya has faced. The purpose of this paper is to examine social economic factors such as family income levels, parents’ education levels, parents’ occupation, family size and students’ retention rates in Kilifi County. The study used descriptive research design. The sample of the study consisted of 250 respondents consisting of 200 parents and 50 head teachers. The objectives of the study were; finding out the relationship between educational background, occupation, gender, and family size of households and student retention rates. The study design was a descriptive survey design. The data was elicited by means of questionnaires, and interviews. Purposeful sampling was used in the selection of parents and head teachers. The main findings of the study were that majority of students who dropped out of school were mainly from families where parents had not attained formal education. Parents’ educational and economic backgrounds were found to have a significant effect on their children’s education.

References

Akengo, A. (2007). Factors that Influence Pupils Dropout in Public Primary Schools in Asengo Division, Homabay District (Unpublished Masters dissertation) University of Nairobi, Kenya

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social – cognitive theory. Englewood-

Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice- Hall.

Blick, P. & Sahn, D. (2000). Schooling of girls and boys in a West African country: the effects of parental education, income, and household structure, Economics of Education Review, 19, 63-87.

Brown, P. & Park, A. (2002) Education and poverty in rural China. Economics of Education Review, 21, 523–541.

Considine, G. & Zappala, G. (2002). Influence of social and economic disadvantage in the academic performance of school students in Australia. Journal of Sociology, 38, 129-148.

Digolo, O.O. (2005). Education as a Strategy for Development in the 21st Century. The Fountain: Journal of the Faculty of Education 2, 1-16. University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Duryea, S. (2003). School Attendance, Child Labor and Local Labor Market Fluctuations in Urban Brazil.

World Development, 31 (7), 1165-1178.

Ersado, L. (2005). Child labor and schooling decisions in urban and rural areas: comparative evidence from Nepal, Peru, and Zimbabwe. World Development, 33 (3), 455-480.

Government of Kenya. (2009). Access and Quality in the Kenyan Education System: A Review of the Programme, Challenges and Potential Solutions. Nairobi: Office of the Prime Minister of Kenya

Kombo, D. (2005). Sociology of Education. Nairobi: Adprint Publishers, Nairobi.

Ministry of Education. (2009). Teachers proficiency course. Training manual (Revised Edition). Nairobi:

Government printer,

Muller, J. (1990). Towards New Forms of Regulations in Higher Education: The Case of South Africa.
Capetown: University of Capetown.

Noor, A. (2001). Accessibility and retention of girls in primary education in Wajir District North Eastern Province of Kenya, M.Ed Thesis: Kenyatta University Nairobi.

Onyango, N. (2000). A Study of factors that influence girls’ participation in primary schools: A case study of Nyinyang and Marigat divisions of Baringo District M.Ed Thesis: Kenyatta University Nairobi.

Pong, L. & Ju, D. (2000).―The Effects of Change in Family Structure and Income on Dropping Out of Middle and High School.‖Journal of Family Issues 21, 147-169.

Rutter, M. (1990). Education, Health and Behaviour. London: Longmans.

Sirin, S. (2005). Socioeconomic status and academic achievement: A meta-analytic review of research.

Review of Educational Research Chapter 75, pp. 415- 453. New York: Sage Journals.

Tinti.V. (2006). Research and Practice of Students Retention. London: University of Chicago press.

UNICEF. (2013). Tana River county education field visit. Nairobi: UNICEF.

Vartanian, P. & Phillip M. (1999). ―Do Neighborhood Conditions Affect High School Dropout and College Graduation Rates?‖ Journal of Socio-Economics. 28(1), 21-41.

White, K. (1982). The relationship between socioeconomic status and educational achievement.Psychological Bulletin. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, Page 461- 481.