Financing Secondary Education in Kenya: Cost Reduction and Financing Options

Abstract

The paper examines the financing status of secondary education in Kenya and explores possible cost reduction and financing options in the long term. Educational needs for secondary education in Kenya are on the increase since the introduction of Free Primary Education in 2003. Financing of secondary education continues to be a challenge to the government, parents and communities at large. Identifying sustainable financing options that maximize on cost-effectiveness in resource utilization is therefore critical. The study utilized secondary data obtained from education trend statistics, the 2003 Kenya school census, and the Teachers Service Commission. The education simulation and financial projection tool provided the basis for projecting both growth in secondary enrollments, resource needs, and financial implications of various policy options. Some of the insights from the study show that expenditure on secondary education as a proportion of GDP and the total education public budget averaged 1.6% and 22%, respectively. Public financing is predominantly recurrent, while non-recurrent expenditures are estimated at 6%. High-income quintiles benefit more from public provision and financing of secondary education compared to the low-income quintiles. Feasible financing options would therefore include increasing secondary education revenue and fiscal allocation on non-salary expenditures. Cost reduction measures should target the expansion of quality day schools, efficiency utilization of teachers, and streamlined procurements. The paper provides research findings and makes objective projections with a view to informing researchers, education managers and policy makers.

Breakfast Consumption and Academic Achievement Among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…Second, the occupation of parents influenced the inclination of students to choose career, which motivated them to get better grades ( Muller, 1995 ). Third, students who live in better-quality houses, with better facilities and more learning materials, and at least three meals/day have better achievements in their schools ( Ngware et al, 2007 ). Although members of the upper class are most influenced by Western lifestyle ( King and Ganotice, 2013 ), higher affordable Chinese residents consume higher priced but unhealthy food ( King and Ganotice, 2013 ; Wang, 2019 ).…”

Education Financing in Kenya: Parents’ Perceptions about the Implementation of the Cost-Sharing Policy in Secondary School Education

“…As a result, the financing of secondary education, that is, the cost-sharing strategy, has become problematic as parents have to shoulder an increasingly larger portion of the costs, thus, creating a negative impact on poor and vulnerable households (Njeru and Orodho, 2003). Ngware, Onsomu and Muthaka (2007) have made the same observation by indicating that the implementation of the cost-sharing policy was confronted with several problems. The authors argue that, there were no clear guidelines as to the extent to which parents and communities were expected to contribute as part of this cost-share programme.…”

Relationship between Education Financing and Human Capital Investment: a survey of Public secondary schools in Kimilili-Bungoma Sub- County

“…Public financing is unable to meet the demands for additional places. Given the numerous competing demands on constrained public resources, many governments find it impossible to mobilize sufficient funds to accelerate the development of secondary education, while fees and other private cost impede enrollment of financially disadvantages students (Ngware, Onsomu and Muthaka, 2007).…”