The socio-economic implications of subsidized secondary education in Mandera West District, Kenya
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Date
2013-01-24
Authors
Adan, Abdi Mohamed
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Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the socio-economic implications of Subsidized Secondary Education Programme in Mandera West District. The study sought to determine resource re-quirement for SSE Program in the District; establish the role of various stakeholders in SSE Programme;• determine the output of the Programme to the residents of the District; establish challenges facing the implementation of the Programme; and determine ways of addressing the challenges. The study was conducted in Takaba and Banisa Divisions of Mandera West District. Population of the study was the secondary school students, parents, head teachers, educational officials and local area leaders in the two divisions. The study used purposive sampling method; the researcher sampled, one boys' boarding, one girls' boarding, one boy's day and one mixed day schools with a total of 90 students under study, 4 BOG members, 4 Head Teachers, 20 Parents, 2 Area Education Officers, and the area District Education Officer. The study used the mixed method of descriptive and exploratory survey and involved advanced statistical analysis through cross tabulation. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Quantitative data from the field was analyzed using SPSS by way of percentages and frequency distribution. Qualitative data from the interviews was analyzed thematically following the study objectives. The study established that for successful implementation of SSE programme in the District, school fees, school uniforms and games skits, pocket money for students, meals and beddings,resource management skills, government funds to offset tuition costs, bursary funds, and school development funds, are necessary. It was also established that more resources are needed to expand teaching-learning facilities in these schools to cater for increased enrollment of students due to SSE programme. The study established that parents pay school fees, provide school uniforms and games skits, pocket money, meals and beddings for their children. School Board Members ensure that available resources are used for the right purpose only; source for financial support, monitor and evaluate school development projects; approve budgets; identify and allocate resources for specific projects and oversee school spending. The GoK and other stake holders in the education sector disburses funds to public secondary schools to offset tuition costs, through CDFs which provides bursaries to needy students, and school development funds provided by some FBOs operating in the District. The study established that SSE programme has increased enrolment and retention rates in the District. However, the Programme face the following challenges: non participatory decision making process involving the expenditure of schools funds; increased enrolment of students which results in overcrowding and congestion; shortage of teachers; poor performance; poor maintenance of teaching-learning facilities; overreliance on government funding; and corruption and misappropriation of school funds. Measures proposed to address the identified challenges include: frequent supervision, monitoring and accountability to ensure efficiency; train board members on financial management; and hold regular elections to change board members. Finally, only literate and educated board members should be elected to represent parents in various secondary schools in the District. The findings of this study have therefore provided evidence to accept the study hypothesis that SSE programme has socio-economic implications to the residents of Mandera West District.