INFLUENCE OF HIDDEN COSTS ON PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MANDERA WEST SUB-COUNTY, MANDERA COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Hidden costs, as economic dynamics, play a key role in ensuring that students participate in secondary school activities. However, in Mandera West Sub-county, number of students who participate is alarmingly low.
Purpose of the Study: To assess the influence of hidden costs on participation of students in public secondary schools in Mandera West Sub-county, Mandera County, Kenya.
Methodology: This study adopted mixed methodology and thus applied descriptive survey research design. Target population comprised six principals, 209 teachers and 102 parents’ representatives totaling 317 respondents from which a sample of 176 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. Stratified sampling was used to create two strata based on the number of zones in Mandera West Sub-county. From each zone, three principals and six parents’ representatives were selected using purposive sampling while 79 teachers were selected using simple random sampling. This procedure realized a sample of six principals, 12 parents’ representatives and 158 teachers. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on study objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using linear regression analysis in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables.
Findings: The study established that students’ participation in public secondary schools is still low despite the efforts by the government. Despite increased enrollment, the number of students who compete their secondary education is low with characterized with high dropout rates. This is attributed to hidden costs amidst other economic dynamics.
Recommendations: The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should regulate extra costs which public secondary schools are charging outside the capitation funds.
Keywords: Hidden costs, students’ participation in public secondary schools, economic dynamics.
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