Education financing in Kenya: Parents' perceptions about the implementation of the cost-sharing policy in secondary school education

Abstract

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, to determine the direct costs incurred by parents as part of the cost-sharing policy to finance secondary school education in Kenya and, second, to assess the views of parents about the impact of the costsharing policy. A case study design involving qualitative data was used. Interviews were conducted with parents who serve on the school district committee. Findings revealed that that there has been an increase in school fees at secondary school level as a result of the introduction of the cost-sharing policy in Kenya. Children from poor backgrounds continue to be marginalised as some national schools charge exorbitant school fees. Consequently, most parents view cost sharing as a burden, because not all of them are able to educate their children beyond the primary school level. In addition, some children are not able to register at the schools of their choice and, to reduce expenditure related to school fees, they end up at district secondary schools. Based on the findings the study offers some recommendations for the policy-makers to consider.