Contribution made by Parents ,Government andCommunity in the Financing and Provision of Public Secondary Education in West Pokot District

Abstract

This study investigated contributions made by parents, community and government to the financing of Public Secondary Schools in West Pokot District and what those contributions have provided.

The study was descriptive in nature. The researcher utilized the following instruments;questionnaires, interview, focus group discussions, observation checklist and documentary analysis. One hundred and thirty nine (139) individuals in five-sampled Public Secondary School were respondents. They included five (5) head teachers, five (5) B.O.G. Chairpersons, five (5) P.T.A Chairpersons, sixty (60) students, sixty (60) teachers, one (1) District Education Officer and three (3) Community representatives.

Data was analysed using means, frequency distribution and percentages.

The finding of the study are as follows; - Parents were the main contributors to educational facilities. Most parents were low-income earners and had difficult financing and providing for educational facilities. The government financed Public Secondary Schools by paying teachers salaries and giving bursary to bright and needy students. The community in the area contributes to school harambees. However the contribution is minimal.

The contributions made by the parents, community and government in financing and providing for Public Secondary Schools in West Pokot District had been inadequate for the following reasons;

The schools lacked essential learning facilities and materials. There were inadequate laboratories, classrooms, workshops, dormitories, classroom furniture, teachers' houses, staff rooms, home science rooms' playing fields, and textbooks among others. From the finding it was concluded that, between 1995 - 2000 the financing of Public Secondary Schools had not provided adequate educational facilities.

It was recommended that: - • The Public Secondary Schools should start income generating projects like rearing cattle and bee keeping to supplement Government, Community and Parents contributions. • Organized fund raising. • The government should increase bursary funds to West Pokot District, because it is in the ASAL region. • The local administration should encourage the local communities to fully participate in supporting their schools