dc.description.abstract | Comparative estimates of secondary school participation indicate that in the
developing world no more than 39 per cent of children of secondary-school age
are attending secondary school. In Kenya, the Tuition Free Secondary Education
(TFSE) Policy was launched at the beginning of 2008 to expand and enhance
access to secondary school education in the country by ensuring that children
from poor households acquire quality education and benefit from the opportunity
of self-advancement and eventually become productive members of society. In a
nationwide study by the Education Policy and Data Centre (EPDS) (2007), it was
found that the gross enrollment rate in Kajiado County was about 22 percent for
boys and 18 percent for girls, both proportions of which were lower than the
national averages stated as 60.1 percent by 2009, or 57 percent for girls and 63.1
percent for boys respectively (World Bank, 2009). This study therefore sought to
establish the factors that affect the participation of students in the mixed public
secondary schools, considering that participation rates in the County are lower
than the national average. The research utilized the descriptive survey, and used
the random sampling method to select the respondents. Data was collected using
questionnaires and interviews guides. The study had a response rate of 85.7%,
composed of male and female head teachers, teachers and members of the
Parents’ and Teachers’ Associations. It was found that various policy
interventions have an effect on participation in mixed secondary schools, and on
the participation of male and female students. It was also found that the gender
status of the mixed schools had a significant effect on participation, just as do
socioeconomic factors. The study concludes that the legal and policy
interventions have a significant effect on the participation of learners in mixed
public secondary schools. Policies addressing matters of school enrollment and
retention such as re-entry, repetition, Tuition Free Secondary Education
programme and bridging of the gender gap have a great effect on the
participation rates in the mixed public secondary schools. The study also
concludes that the gender status of the mixed schools has a significant effect on
participation. This effect especially affects the rate of enrolment among female
learners. | en_US |