INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL LEVIES ON PUPILS’ TRANSITION FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NYANDARUA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Basic education in Kenya is not only free but compulsory as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya. It transcends primary school to also cover secondary school education. However, in the endeavor to achieve Education for All (EFA), much attention is focused on primary education at the expense of higher levels of education and particularly secondary school education. Transition of pupils from primary to secondary schools has not been addressed with the vigor that it deserves, by the Kenya Government and other relevant stakeholders. One of the factors impinging on transition from primary to secondary schools in Kenya is the exorbitant levies charged in secondary schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of school levies on the transition of pupils from primary to secondary schools in Nyandarua North Sub-County, Kenya. The study used ex-post-facto research design. Stratified sampling techniques were used to select the study respondents. The sample consisted of 56 public primary school head teachers and 396 Standard Eight pupils who were selected from a target population of 66 primary schools and 2904 pupils in the Sub-County. Data was collected using two questionnaires, one for the head teachers and the other for Standard Eight pupils. The data was analyzed descriptively using percentages, frequencies and means as well as inferentially using linear regression. The hypothesis was tested at an alpha level of .05. The results obtained revealed that school levies have a significant influence on pupils’ transition from primary to secondary schools. The study therefore recommends that the Government and well-wishers should bear more of school levies through funding and bursaries support. They should offer tuition support, development funds and building of more schools closer to the learners as a way of improving transition rates of pupils from primary to secondary schools in Kenya.