Influence of additional educational expenses on pupils’ transition rates from primary to secondary school in Mwingi East SubCounty, Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the determinants of pupils’ transition rates from primary to secondary school in Mwingi East Sub-County, Kitui County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to determine the influence of additional educational expenses on pupils’ transition rates from primary to secondary school in Mwingi East Sub-County, Kitui County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The target population was 722 respondents; comprised of 515 class eight teachers, 103 Parents Association (PA) chairpersons, 103 Head of Institutions, and the Sub-County Director of Education in Mwingi East Sub-County. Stratified proportionate, random, and census sampling techniques were used to select the sample size. A total of 218 respondents represented the sample size. The instruments of data collection were; questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The study revealed that additional educational expenses are a major barrier to pupils’ transition from primary to secondary school. The findings further indicated that these additional expenses directly influence pupils’ entry into form one in Mwingi East Sub-County. The study concluded that additional educational expenses such as uniforms, lunch levies, personal effects, and learning materials remain a burden to many families and significantly reduce primary to secondary school transition rates. The study recommended that; the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to expand bursary allocation and improve targeting mechanism to support pupils from economically disadvantaged households, the national government to review capitation policies to address indirect schooling costs.