Impact of resource utilization in education as perceived by teachers in secondary schools in Mathioya District, Muranga County, Kenya

Abstract

Resource utilization is an integral part of the overall management of the school. Education in a school is determined by provision of resources, their maximum utilization and management. Advances in science and technology necessitates that the school manager should adopt modem methods of facilities management in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. A direct relationship exists between the quality of school facilities, teaching and learning materials, teaching personnel and the education process. The above will eventually determine the instructional programmes and performance of the school. This study investigated the impact of resource utilization in education in secondary schools as perceived by principal and teachers in Mathioya District of Murang'a County. This included the use of instructional materials in the teaching/learning process, human resource utilization, school building design, impact of physical facilities and school size on students' achievement. The researcher employed ex post facto research design to conduct the study. The target population consisted of all the 27 public secondary schools in the district. The sample consisted of 10 secondary schools; the principal of the sampled school was automatically included in the study while one teacher was randomly elected. The Data was collected through an interview schedule from the school principal's and teachers by means of questionnaires. The instruments were piloted in two schools that were not included in the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analyzed data was then represented using frequency tables, means, percentages, pie charts and bar graphs. The study found out that teaching learning resources are available in most schools and are properly utilized. In particular materials related to classroom instruction are adequate. However laboratories, libraries, computer rooms, agriculture/home science rooms are inadequate in most schools. The study established that the number of teachers in most schools was grossly inadequate. It was also found out that .the physical facilities and recreational facilities were inadequate. Most teachers did not adhere to ministerial guidelines and failed to make use of professional documents in the course of their teaching. The findings of the study provided empirical data about the impact of resource utilization on instructional programmes, performance and eventually the extent of use of resources in instructional programmes. Based on these findings, the study therefore recommends that more funds be allocated to equip the laboratories, computer rooms, science rooms and agriculture rooms. Greater attention be given to support facilities, employment of more teachers and teachers should prepare and make use of professional documents. These findings may enable the government and other stake holders to take appropriate action to ensure there are enough facilities in order to improve the quality of education in secondary schools in Mathioya District.