Influence of Free Secondary Education Policy on Repetition Rates in Kenya: A Case Study of Kericho County

Abstract

In pursuance of provision of Education for All, Free Secondary Education policy was adopted in 2008 to enhance access, improve quality, equity, relevance and Gender Parity in the provision of secondary school education in Kenya, Kericho County inclusive. The first cycle of students who benefitted from Free Secondary Education policy graduated in 2011. The national Gender Parity Indices from 2004 to 2007 were 0.89, 0.89.0.89 and 0.85 respectively while in Kericho County they were 0.75, 0.63, 0.66, and 0.71 respectively which were lower than the national. Form to form transition fluctuated as follows 9,103; 9,333; 9,217 and 9,281 in Kericho County meaning that repetition was a concern that required to be addressed. Since Free Secondary Education policy was introduced to address this concern it was important to determine its influence on first cycle of Free Secondary Education funding. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish influence of Free Secondary Education Policy on repetition in Kericho County. Objective of the study was to determine the influence of Free Secondary Education policy on repeater rates in Kericho County. The study was based on this concept of investment choices by Pscharapolous and Woodhall (1985), because Free Secondary Education subsidy is an investment choice in Kenya. This study established that Free Secondary Education policy had very low positive influence on repetition with Pearson (r) coefficient of 0.04 and R2 of 0.0016 which means it enhanced repetition by 0.16%. The study concluded that Free Secondary Education had very low influence on repetition rates. The study recommended that forced or voluntary repetition should be eradicated as it contributes to wastage in education and militates against the intention of Free Secondary Education policy. The findings of this study are important to stakeholders in secondary education in informing them on the need to review the policy with a view to reducing repetition rates in secondary school education so as to achieve the objectives Free Secondary Education policy.