This paper examines the importance of female education to Kenya's economic development, while evaluating the current situation of Kenyan women in regards to education. Reasons as to how and why women have been disadvantaged in pursuit of education have been discussed.
The study sets out by outlining the economics of education in general so as to highlight the importance of education to a nation. From these arguments, equal educational attainment by a nation's population is preferred for the improvement of human capital. In particular, female education is identified as a major catalyst for economic and social change, since the returns from their education go far beyond their individual welfare.
In examining the trend of female education in Kenya, the study reveals that females are disadvantaged in access to opportunities, retention and achievement, at all levels of education. The study also finds that, in spite of the importance of education to the economic development of a nation, there has not been a significant improvement in reducing gender imbalances in the attainment process. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
