GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND LEARNER COMPLETION RATE IN PUBLIC MIXED DAY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CHESUMEI SUB - COUNTY

Abstract

Students’ completion rate varies in various states worldwide. High students’ drop - out still exists in public schools in Kenya which negatively impacts students’ completion rate. Empirically, in chesumei, little is known about the influence of government funding on learner completion rate in mixed day secondary schools. This is despite government funding to day public secondary schools. The objective of this study included to determine the extent to which government funding in form of government scholarships influences completion rate in public secondary schools in Chesumei sub county. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Target population was 343 respondents who comprised of 24 principals, 270 heads of department, 48 members of board of management and 1sub county director of education. The sample size was 270 respondents who comprised of 22 principals, 161 heads of department 42 members of the board of management assistant and 1 sub county director of education. The study adopted stratified r andom sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques to select the respondents. Primary data was collected using close - ended questionnaires and interview guide. The study adopted content validity where experts’ opinion was sought to valid ate the contents of the questionnaire.The study adopted internal consistency reliability which was tested using Cronbach’s alpha co - efficient. Data that was collected in the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and content analysis. Findings revealed that government scholarships/bursaries had a positive and significant effect on completion rate ( (β=0.778, p<0.05). The study concluded that government scholarships enhance learner completion rate in public secondary schools in Chesumei sub county. The study recommends that government scholarships/bursaries should continue being provided to students to enhance students’ completion rate in public secondary schools. The study will be of great significance to the government through the ministry of education in addition to management of mixed public secondary schools. The study will also benefit the scholars as it provides the basis for further research. The study will contribute to theoretical development on government funding and learner completion rate.