Community based factors and educational wastage: a study of public secondary schools in Mbooni West sub-county, Makueni County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of community based factors on educational wastage in public secondary schools in Mbooni West Sub County, Makueni County, Kenya. Descriptive survey design was adopted in this study. The target population comprised of 41 public secondary schools. Stratified technique was employed from which systematically random sampling employed produced 15 principals, 15 academic deans and 15 form three class teachers giving a total of 45 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. From the study it was established that community based factors do influence educational wastage in public secondary schools in the Sub County. Founded on this finding, the study recommends that public secondary schools management in Mbooni West Sub County should consider community based factors since the culture of the community is a life-long attribute and at the same time likely to influence students turn out negatively as a result of the values and norms inculcated. Communities around schools should also be sensitized on their important role of supporting schools and creating a conducive environment that encourages learning and retention of learners in school.