Home based Factors and Educational Wastage in Public Secondary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to determine the influence of home based factors on educational wastage in public secondary school in Kathiani sub county, Machakos. A descriptive survey research design was used. The study was carried out in all 31 public secondary schools in Kathiani Sub County, Machakos County. The target population of the study was 31 principals, 59 form four class teachers, the Sub-county director of education, 10 drop outs and 10 repeaters of secondary level of education in Kathiani Sub-county. All 31 principals were purposefully selected and one class teacher in each school was randomly selected. Data was collected using interview schedules for drop outs and questionnaires for form four class teachers, repeaters, sub county director of education and principals. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential methods. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires was analysed by the use of descriptive statistics and Chi-square statistical procedure using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). Descriptive statistics that were used in this study include frequencies and mean. The hypothesis was tested using the chi-square test, at a significance level of 0.05. The findings of the study show that there is a statistically significant association between home based factors and educational wastage in public secondary schools in Kathiani sub county. The chi square results for parental income were χ² (4) =41.860, p=0.000. The results for family structure were χ² (4) =22.912, p=0.000. The results for parental level of education were χ² (4) =19.754, p=0.000. Results for family size were χ² (4) =41.860, p=0.000.   In all these cases the P- values were less than 0.05 significance level, meaning they are all significant influencers of educational wastage. The results for home lighting were χ² (3) =3.561, p=0.313. Since p- value is greater than 0.05 significance level, it can be concluded that there is no statistically significant relationship between home lighting and educational wastage.