Publication:

Influence of Sale of Handicrafts on Students’ Retention Rates in Public Secondary Schools in Masinga Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya

Purpose of the Study: Income-generating activities, such as the sale of handicrafts, play a key role in bridging the financial gaps experienced by public secondary schools. These activities generate revenue for the school to supplement the fees paid by students and financial subsidies from the government, as a strategy for providing quality education and increasing retention rates among students in public secondary schools. However, in Masinga Sub-county, the situation is quite different, with many public secondary schools registering low retention rates among students. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the sale of handicrafts on students' retention rates in public secondary schools in Masinga Sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya. Research Methodology: This study adopted a mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation research design. The target population was 812 respondents, comprising 54 principals, 542 teachers, and 216 support staff. A sample of 268 respondents was determined using Yamane's Formula. Stratified sampling was used to create four different strata based on the number of zones in Masinga Sub-county. From each zone, three principals and six support staff were selected using purposive sampling. However, from each zone, 58 teachers were selected using simple random sampling to avoid bias. This sampling procedure resulted in a sample of 12 principals, 24 support staff, and 232 teachers. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the study objectives and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages, and inferentially using linear regression analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23) and presented using Tables. Findings: The study revealed that the number of students who complete their secondary education is low, with dropout rates standing at 40.7% compared to the national dropout rates, which have decreased to 23.7%. This is attributed to the inadequacy of financial resources, and as a result, schools have embraced the sale of handicrafts as an alternative income-generating activity. Recommendations: The study recommends that school principals should ensure that the funds raised from the sale of handicrafts and trophies are used for good purposes and to support needy students. Donors should continue funding school programs as a strategy for reducing students' dropout rates from public secondary schools.