The Optimal School Size for Achieving Economies of Scale in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the optimal school size for achieving economies of scale in public secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. Despite government funding through free day secondary education and increased enrolment, many schools experience financial constraints, including delayed payments to suppliers, teachers, and Board of Management-employed non-teaching staff, as well as challenges in maintaining facilities. The study targeted 376 public secondary school principals and the County Director of Education, from whom 194 principals and the County Director were sampled. An embedded mixed-methods design was adopted. Qualitative data were obtained through interviews with 20 principals and the County Director, while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data through thematic analysis. The study achieved a response rate of 93.3 per cent, representing 181 principals and the County Director. The optimal enrolment sizes were established at 1,600 students for extra-county schools, 864 for county boarding schools, 841 for county day/boarding schools, and 716 for sub-county schools. These sizes corresponded to unit costs of Ksh. 56,472.80, Ksh. 49,877.939, Ksh. 27,519.039, and Ksh. 21,797.611, respectively. Operating at optimal enrolment would yield per-student savings of Ksh. 4,057.688, Ksh. 4,348.397, Ksh. 1,426.423, and Ksh. 3,934.055, respectively. Qualitative findings indicated that optimal school size varies by school category. Schools should therefore maintain enrolment levels that minimise unit costs without causing congestion or compromising educational quality.