Effects of County Bursary on Completion Rates Among University Students in Kwale County, Kenya between Academic Years 2014/15 to 2017/18
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Date
2020
Authors
Gowe, Kaingu John Dzuya
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Access to higher education world over has been a preserve of the affluent few since they can
cater for the costs of the education. Majority of the developing countries in Africa are yet to
address the issue of subsidizing higher education to enhance completion rates. The general
objective of this study was to determine the effects of County bursary on the completion rates of
university students in Kwale County. Therefore, the study focused towards attaining the
following specific objectives:-determine the criteria used to admit students into the county
bursary scheme among university students in Kwale County; determine the effects of the
disbursement procedure on completion rates among university students in Kwale County;
determine the extent to which communication on the bursary scheme to the community enhances
completion rates among university students in Kwale County; and finally assess the extent to
which adequacy of the bursary funds enhances completion rates among university students in
Kwale County. The study was guided by the human capital theory, and theory of justice as
fairness. The study adopted a descriptive study design. This approach was designed to depict the
participants’ behavior in an accurate way in their natural settings. The design also allowed the
researcher to observe the research subjects of the study without manipulating the variables. The
target population comprised 165 students from Kwale County admitted to recognized Kenyan
Universities through the KUCCPS in the academic year 2014/15.The researcher used simple
random sampling to select the desired sample size. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The analysis
comprised of descriptive statistics such as means, percentages and frequencies. Inferential
statistics included T-test and Chi-square. Significance level was determined at 95% confidence
level and a precision value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Qualitative data
was subjected to framework analysis and presented as themes consistent with the research
objectives. The study findings established a positive correlation between bursary and completion
rates among university students. The study found out that there was need for the county
government to invest in an up-to-date data base with all the information about the bursary
scheme. It further recommended for a review of the existing bursary policy to narrow the focus
of the bursary to only the needy but bright students for the scheme to be sustainable. The
findings of the study also underscored an urgent need for the county government to seek for
alternative sources of funds to supplement the funds allocated for bursary from the county
treasury. Finally, the findings and recommendations of the study informed education players and
stakeholders on effective education policies that focus on bridging the gap in the access of higher
education between the privileged and the less-privileged within the society
Description
A Research Project Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Award of Degree of Masters of Public
Policy and Administration in the School of Humanities and Social
Sciences, Kenyatta University
Keywords
County Bursary, Completion Rates, Kwale County, Subsidizing higher education, Bursary scheme