Browsing by Author "Njoroge, Leah Wairimu"

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    Allocation of National Government Constituency Development Fund and Access to Public Secondary School Education in Meru County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-03) Njoroge, Leah Wairimu
    Public secondary school education has a big role in fostering economic development and increasing income levels, particularly for individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite these potential benefits, access to public secondary education in Meru County has experienced a decline since 2013. Transition rates from 2018 to 2022 consistently fall below national averages, ranging from 61.5% to 69.7% compared to the national rates of 81.3% to 86.8%. The reported dropout rates in Meru County, varying from 10.9% to 15.9% during the same period, raise concerns about the obstacles students face in completing their secondary education. Obstacles to transitioning to secondary schools, such as high expenses, poverty, additional school fees, and unfavorable learning environments, disproportionately impact learners from economically disadvantaged families. The NGCDF represents one of the governmental measures to reduce education costs. The implementation of the NGCDF has not solved the problems learners encounter when trying to get access to quality secondary school education. This research examined the effects that national government constituency development fund distribution has on quality public secondary school education accessibility across Meru County in Kenya. Research investigated how NGCDF funding affected physical facilities and educational resources and school feeding program on access to quality secondary school education. The research was anchored on production function and the human capital theory employing descriptive design, targeting all public secondary schools Meru County including 72 principals, 72 school bursars and 11 members of the NGCDF committee members. The researcher employed a census approach because of the limited number of respondents which reached 155. A questionnaire served as the method for collecting the necessary information. The data collection went through two stages of analysis using descriptive statistics to compute mean values alongside standard deviation calculations. Public secondary school education in Meru County receives essential influence through NGCDF allocations from the National Government according to the research findings. Adequate funding for physical facilities, such as classrooms and libraries, leads to higher student enrollment and retention rates, as well as improved academic performance due to a conducive learning environment. Similarly, sufficient allocation for teaching and learning resources, including textbooks and computers, enhances educational outcomes by supporting effective teaching practices and boosting student engagement. Additionally, school feeding programs have been shown to positively impact attendance and concentration by addressing nutritional needs, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of these factors. In conclusion, targeted investments in physical infrastructure, teaching resources, and nutritional support are essential for improving educational access and quality, highlighting the importance of strategic NGCDF allocations.