Policy Brief No. 12 of 2007 on Subsidizing Secondary Education in Kenya:Costs,Financing Sources and Implications

Abstract

Public intervention in the provision of secondary education is sometimes necessary to safeguard against inequalities in access given the relatively high household poverty incidence in Kenya. Furthermore, educating children up to this level has private benefits that accrue to the individuals and households, and there are students’ upkeep, learning inputs, teacher salaries, school administrative inefficiency and Ministry of Education fees guidelines, among others. Given the high costs, it is imperative for the government to subsidize secondary education. A workforce that can adapt to the fast changing global dynamics is critical for sustainable growth and development. Secondary school education plays a key role in the development of this workforce and has both private and social returns, not to mention the spillover effects that make this level of education a concern of government, society and individuals. However, this sector of education has faced problems of access due to high costs. The issue of who should pay for secondary education has gained momentum recently with the debate entering the public policy agenda. also societal benefits and positive externalities associated with secondary education. Private markets, if left alone, may not satisfy private and social demand for secondary education. Currently in Kenya, there is public concern over the relatively high cost of secondary education, inadequate school places in some regions and generally low enrolment. The Government has therefore made a commitment to provide free and compulsory basic education for all children, where secondary education is considered as basic.