A Study of Teachers’ Perceptions on Economic Factors Influencing Boys’ Dropout in Secondary Schools in Kericho County, Kenya

School dropout is a major hindrance in attaining the goals of education in Kenya. Following the implementation of Free Primary Education (FPE) and Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) by the Kenyan government, several report reveal more boys drop out of school than girls. Boy-child school dropouts is a concern, not only in Kenya but also in the world over. Numerous researches have been conducted in various regions of Kenya; however, few have specifically examined the factors contributing to the escalating rate of male students dropping out of secondary schools, specifically in Kericho County. The objective of this study was to examine the perceptions of teachers regarding economic factors that contribute to the dropout rates of male students in public mixed-day secondary schools in Kericho County. The study aimed to find out the perceptions of teachers regarding the impact of economic factors on the dropout rates of boys from school. A descriptive research design was adopted. The research was conducted under the framework of Gibson’s Theory of Direct Perception. The multistage sampling technique was used, where 121 schools were sampled to participate. The sample size was based on the Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a total of 136 form four class teachers. Piloting of the instrument was conducted to determine its reliability using the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula. The validity of the instrument was determined with respect to the established objectives. Data collection involved the use of questionnaire for the teachers. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) software version 27. The findings of the study revealed that economic factors such as low parental income, high cost of remedial teaching, and high cost of transportation to and from school (F = 2.689, p