Role of Costs of Schooling and the Education of the Parents in Girls Enrolment in Secondary School

There is a gender gap in formal education in Kenya, both in terms of access and attainment for girls and women. The study sought to, establish the role of costs of schooling, and the education of the parents in girls enrolment in secondary school. In the study both qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed. Survey data collected by the central bureau of statistics was used. The logit model was used and regression was run on the STATA computer program and then a test for the statistical significance of the various variables done. The study concluded that the level of education attained by the parents of the child determined the enrollment of that child in secondary schools. The level of education, age and child labour were very significant determinants of girls enrollment in secondary school level of education, social and economic conditions determined the enrollment of girls in secondary school education. The study recommended that adult literacy classes should be organized in the country to sensitize mothers, who had not gone to school on the importance of educating their daughters. Another recommendation was that early marriages should be completely discouraged and parents found marrying off their daughters before they are 18 years should face prosecution. The government and the local communities should take stern measures to discourage child labour.