Browsing by Author "Otieno, Mary Akinyi"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Considering Gender and Socio-economic Factors as determinants of Students’ Enrolment in Regular and Parallel Undergraduate Study Platforms: A case of Public Universities in Kenya
    (2015-03) Otieno, Mary Akinyi; Bizimana, Benjamin
    The ultimate goal of this study was to find out the extent to which the students’ enrolment in regular and parallel undergraduate study platforms are influenced by gender and socio-economic factors. The study has used secondary data collected from the admission records of University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenyatta University (KU) and Moi University (MU). In addition, primary data were collected from students and lecturers from the three public universities (KU, MOI and UoN), as well as education experts and policy makers. The analysis was mainly based on a comparative assessment of student gender disaggregated distribution trend data of the academic year period 2001/2002 to 2004/2005. The findings have revealed that although considerable efforts have been made toward gender equity; still women do suffer from a relatively under representation in public higher education in Kenya. Indeed, the findings have shown that students’ socio-economic status (SES) constitutes a significant determinant to the students’ enrolment; whereby few candidates from middle and high income families are enrolled for MII also known as Private/Parallel/self-sponsored programmes. Therefore, the study recommends that the Governments draw mechanisms that would alleviate gender and social-economical factors as barriers to access to higher education. Based on the findings of this study, researchers suggest that further studies should seek to establish how gender and socio-economical backgrounds affect the performance of enrolled students.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Equity dimensions in public university education in Kenya: an analysis of parallel and regular undergraduate platforms
    (2011-05-01) Otieno, Mary Akinyi; Gravenir, F. Q.; Jothan Olembo Obisi
    The rapid expansion of university education in Kenya has necessitated inevitable reconfigurations and innovations in access and finance issues. Part of this is evident in the high demand for university education that has seen the mounting of alternative platforms variously called parallel, self-sponsored or module 11. As of necessity, such developments come with inevitable consequences, including altering the pattern of access by socio-economic groups as well as gender, in as much as they engender institutional differentiation manifested in the appropriation of private funds, occasioned by differential enrolment of paying students. The dualistic admission policy has the potential of engendering inequalities among social groups, gender and between institutions, principally because, by `liberalising' education, it opens up university admission to those students able to pay the fees. This poses a threat to equitable distribution of education opportunities in public universities. It is for this reason that the current study investigated the equity issues in Kenya's public university system since the mounting of the parallel platform, to identify equity dimensions evident in the provision of public university education in the parallel and regular undergraduate degree platforms on the basis of socio-economic status, gender equity, degree programmes equity and institutional equity. The study was carried out in three public universities namely: University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and Moi University. The target population was 61,115 and the sample size was 748. The sample size was derived from Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) Tables for determining appropriate sample size given a specified population. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 university administrative staff and another 8 respondents from eight organisations referred to in this study as (education experts/policy makers). Two types of research instruments were used: interview guide and questionnaires. Questionnaires were administered to public university students and academic staff while interview guide was administered to the education policy makers (education experts) as university administrators, CHE, MoEST, JAB staff, World Bank, KIPPRA, Rockefeller, IPAR and Ford Foundation. Data analysis for this study was done both quantitatively and qualitatively. Chi Square statistical analysis was used in this study to compare frequencies occurring in different groups such as students, public university administrative and academic staff, including policy makers and education experts in university education on the four variables for the study. In line with the study objectives, six hypotheses were designed for this study and the results generated made the study findings, viz; Five objectives were investigated and the results indicated that there were differences in enrolment across gender by platform, that distributions of regular students by gender in the three public universities in the two (MI & MII) study platforms differed significantly, that students from the more affluent families (middle and high SES) dominated positions on the MII platforms, that irrespective of gender, the students' presence in any platform is determined by their parents/guardian/family SES, however gender on its own cannot determine a student's presence in either MI or MIL Furthermore, being female from lower SES diminished a student's chances of participating in pure science based programmes in public university education. While the socio-economic status of a female student's family would influence preference of the degree programme pursued, the same conclusion is not true for male students. The study concludes that there is a persistent gap in university education participation, between students from richer and poorer family backgrounds and recommends instituting gender equity structures by JAB and the government of Kenya
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Gender and area of specialization vis-à-vis students’ enrolments in undergraduate degree programmes by platform in Public Universities in Kenya
    (African Journals Online, 2015) Otieno, Mary Akinyi; Ndayambaje, Irénée
    The essence of this paper was to determine the extent to which gender and area of specialization are related with students’ enrolment in undergraduate degree programmes by platform in Public Universities in Kenya. The researchers considered the cases of Moi University, Kenyatta University and Nairobi University. The study used secondary data collected from the registration offices of the respective universities for the academic years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. These data were presented in forms of text and tables. The analysis undertook majorly the quantitative pathway using percentages and Chi Square. The overall findings have shown a discrepancy in students’ enrolment per gender and area of specialization and hence lead to the rejection of the stipulated null hypotheses. The study made a number of recommendations that would enhance the universities programmes’ cost-effectiveness and labour market orientation. Indeed, further areas of research are portrayed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The impact of instructional materials on performance in music in secondary schools in Bungoma county
    (2012-07-05) Nambafu, Khasiro Violet; Ogeta O. Norbert; Otieno, Mary Akinyi; Otieno, Mary Akinyi
    Music in particular plays an important role in the achievement of national goals of education. However, performance in Music examinations at secondary school level in Bungoma District has been low and fluctuating. The current study investigated the impact of instructional materials on performance in music in secondary schools in Bungoma District, Kenya. The purpose of the study was to assess the available resource materials, their use and how they affect performance in music. The objectives of the study were to: establish the adequacy of music instructional materials in secondary schools, ascertain the extent to which music materials are utilized in the teaching and learning in secondary schools, analyze the performance of students in KCSE music examinations in the district and determine whether teacher qualification and commitment in secondary schools affect performance in music. The current study employed the descriptive survey design. The study population was all the teachers and students of music in the eleven schools in the District. To select the sample size, simple random sampling design was applied. A sample size of 117 students and teachers took part in the study. The study utilized a questionnaire and an observation schedule as tools for data collection. To test for reliability and validity of the research instruments, a pilot run was carried out to two schools in the District. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive analysis procedures by use of frequencies, percentages and presented using tables, pie charts and bar charts. Qualitative data were reported in form of texts. The findings of the study were: there were inadequate musical materials and text books for teaching music in secondary schools in the District. Instruments such as pianos were absent in majority of schools, Traditional music instruments such as Isilili, Litungu,Chivoti , ishukuti were very popular among a majority of schools ,KCSE results in music have been plummeting. Factors for poor results are: inadequate instruments, high teacher turn over (transfers), inadequate text books, and shortage of music teachers, lazy students, teacher and students' absenteeism, lack of remedial teaching in music, methods used in teaching and inadequate time resource for practice, teachers were not academically qualified, teachers ill prepared practical lessons. Recommendations are: Address inadequacy of musical materials and text books for teaching music in schools in the District, teachers to prepare music practical lessons in advance in order to test the instruments before they are used for actual lessons and the government to recruit teachers who are academically and professionally qualified.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Increase in demand for further education among secondary School teachers in lgembe north, Meru county
    (Kenyatta University, 2014) Kimencu, Johnstone Muriungi; Otieno, Mary Akinyi; Ogeta O. Norbert
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons for the increase in demand for further studies among teachers. The study objectives were to describe the phenomenon of increased demand for further studies among secondary school teachers, find out the opinion over the future of teaching profession and teacher education. The study also explored various policies and actions that can be put in place by various stakeholders in education given the trend in education sector. The study applied Cost-Benefit Analysis theory of Blaug (1996) as a guide to this research. The research employed a descriptive survey design, which is concerned with the generalized statistics that result when data is abstracted from respondents. The research instruments was a questionnaires used to collect data. The instrument was piloted and validity verified. Reliability was also verified and stratified simple random technique was used for this study. Out of twenty five schools, only fourteen were sampled. Out of the target population of 96 respondents, a total of 38 were sampled for the study. Data anal ysis was done using the Social Package for Statistical Science (SPSS). Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings were presented through descriptive statistics by use of frequencies, tables, graphs and pie-charts. The study found out that the demand for further education among teachers is on the rise. Further the study established that going back to school is currently a wave among secondary teachers resulting to over-qualified teachers in the near future posing a challenge to management of such human resource. The study recommends a scheme of service be developed for teachers holding Masters of Education degree. Based on recommendations, the study proposes that the Ministry of Education through its relevant agencies develop attractive proficiency courses whose certification is recognized by Teachers Service Commission. Further, a study on the effect of enrolment of teachers for further studies on academic performance of their pupils and students also recommended.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Management Challenges Occasioned by Drug Abuse in Secondary Schools in Mbeere North District, Embu County.
    (2013-08-14) Maundu, Ruth Mutumi; Ogola, Martin; Otieno, Mary Akinyi
    The primary purpose of this study was to investigate into the management challenges occasioned by drug abuse in secondary schools in Mbeere North District and the possible solutions to these challenges. Out of the twenty seven (27) schools, nine (9) were purposively sampled. This represents 30% of the schools in this district. Out of the nine (9) schools, one (1) was girls boarding, one (1) was boys boarding, three (3) were mixed day schools, three (3) were mixed day and boarding and one (1) was private. Each school provided a total of forty (40) respondents, ten (10) students from each form, the deputy head teacher and one (1) teacher for guidance and counselling. Three hundred and sixty (360) students were randomly selected and nine (9) deputies and nine (9) 1.eachers purposively sampled because they were from the same schools to facilitate consistency in the research process. 'S'e~en objectives were covered in the study. One self-report questionnaire with both closed and open ended questions was administered to each student and teacher counsellors. Students' questionnaires were filled and collected, there and then. Teacher's questionnaires were given a day before and collected on the day when students were filling theirs. Data. was collected by use of questionnaires and analyzed quantitatively. The results were presented in frequency distribution and percentages. Data analysis was carried out. using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) utilizing descriptive and statistical analysis procedures. Descriptive statistics used included frequency and percentages. The following were the findings of the study; the commonly abused drugs in these schools included: alcohol, cigarettes, khat and sleeping pills. Majority of the students (63.1%) indicated that the main source of drugs abused by students was kiosks/small shops. Majority (66.7 %) of the students indicated that the main problem of drug abuse by colleagues was lack of concentration. The students who abused drugs turned to stealing money and property and also encouraged damages on school property. A drug' prevention programme has been put in place in the schools according to majority of the students (69.4%) and students were exposed to drug prevention programmes. Teachers in the guidance and counselling departments and BOG/PTA were involved in guidance and counselling. To curb drug abuse, all the teacher counsellors and the deputy headteachers suggested that effective guidance and counselling and creating awareness among students should be carried out. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made=secondary schools should have qualified guidance and counselling teachers who would help students struggling with drugs. Since in secondary schools the cane is not used to discipline students, emphasis should be put on guidance and counselling to control indiscipline among the students. Students who are identified as drug abusers should not be expelled from schools but should be accepted in the community and be helped through guidance and counselling. Although the Ministry of Education has integrated drug abuse in some subject, it should consider developing a curriculum on effects of drug abuse. This will ensure that all students are informed about dangers of drug abuse in order to make informed choices.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social investment in human capital among housemaids and its implications for public education policy: Greenfield, Nairobi province
    (2012-04-16) Otieno, Mary Akinyi
    This study set out to inquire into the education problems that hinder housemaids from performing their jobs adequately and using their own skills to improve their socio economic status. Greenfield estate in Nairobi is a typical middle class residential area within the city. Three categories of respondents participated in the study. 40 housemaids and 40 employers were selected using systematic sampling while purposive sampling was used in selecting 14 organizations. Out of the 40 housemaids 30 fully participated. In addition 21 housemaids employers and 7 officers participated. Data analysis took the form of descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies and proportions (percentages). The data was also summarised in tables. The major instruments for data collection were interview schedules administered to the housemaids and questionnaires administered to housemaids' employers and to the representatives of the seven organisations. The gathered data were analysed and interpreted in line with the research questions. Results show that lack of basic education hamper the effective performance of housemaids in their duties. The resultant ignorance also inhibits housemaids from benefiting from training programmes offered in the few institutions and also from union membership, which could protect their interests. Majority of the sampled housemaids were illiterate and that illiteracy positively correlates with the lack of awareness of individuals' rights and avenues for improving individual skills and welfare. This ignorance of basic rights has made the housemaids to be exploited by the employers, a fact reflected in the number of hours they work (between nine and fifteen hours per day) and quite a number working throughout the week(no time off). About twenty (20) housemaids expressed a desire for more education and training which they say as one way of improving their performance at work as well as opening up avenues for mobility. The study concludes that adequate education and training can benefit the housemaids in increasing their bargaining power, awareness of rights and hence, the ability to command better pay. On the basis of the above findings, the study recommended, that: i) Greater emphasis should be given to training so that the housemaids can be qualified for the jobs they do, both for efficiency and welfare purpose. ii) A law should be enacted enjoining the employers of housemaids to enter into written contracts with them, such a law should also specify that these housemaids work for a minimum of eight hours per day and anything beyond, treated as overtime and be paid for accordingly. It should also provide for insurance of housemaids against such risks as fire. iii) Housemaids should be encouraged to join unions such as KUDHEHIA (Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions and Hospitals Association).