Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of cost of education on transition
rates from primary to secondary schools in Kenya; a case of Machakos sub-county. The study
was guided by the following objectives; to determine the average cost of putting a leaner in
school; asses the rate at which cost of education affect retention rates in schools and determine
the rate at which cost of education influence transition rate from primary to secondary school in
Machakos sub-county. The study used descriptive survey design. The target population was
135 public primary school head teachers and 145 class 8 class teachers. Simple random and
purposive sampling techniques were used to identify 40 head teachers and 40 class teachers as
respondents for the study. The sample size was. Questionnaires were used to collect data.
Validity and reliability of the instruments was ascertained. The study found that cost of
education, significantly influence the transition rate from primary school to secondary schools in
Machakos Sub-County. The study concluded that cost of education had the greatest influence on the transition rates from primary to secondary schools in Machakos. The study
recommended that government should increase education subsidies to cushion parents from
extra levies charged by schools. Sub county education office should come up with practical
measures to sensitize the parents on the importance of education in order to change their
attitude. Parents should be taught various income generating activities so as to make them
financially stable as this will reduce dependency syndrome and enable them cater for both
family basic needs and education of their children.
