Fees Disparities and Students’ Enrolment Patterns in Rural Private Secondary Schools in Isingiro South County, Isingiro District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Fees Disparities and student enrolment patterns in rural private secondary schools in Isingiro South County, Isingiro District. this paper was guided by the objective to assess the impact of Fees Disparities on student enrolment trends in rural private secondary schools in Isingiro South County. The study adopted a correlational research design, this design was appropriate because the study sought to establish the relationship between school fee disparities and student enrollment patterns in rural private secondary schools in Isingiro South County without manipulating any variables. The study targeted secondary school head teachers and household heads in Isingiro South County. To collect data, the study used two data collection methods; namely questionnaire survey and interview. The finding of the study revealed the statistical correlation between fees disparities and enrollment trends was weak, qualitative evidence and survey data indicate that affordability remains a central factor in shaping access to private secondary education in rural areas and concluded that fee disparities in rural private secondary schools significantly affect student enrollment, affordability, and perceptions of education quality in Isingiro South County. Although statistical correlations were weak, qualitative evidence highlighted affordability as a key factor in enrollment decisions, confirming that fee disparities contribute to educational inequality and emphasizing the need for policy interventions to improve access and concluded that private schools in Isingiro South County adopt more moderate and flexible fee structures.