Impact of cost-sharing on school inputs in primary schools: a comparative study of primary schools in Embu and Mbeere Districts, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2004
Authors
Gichoni, Samuel Kithe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study explored the disparities in the provision of school inputs in Embu and
Mbeere districts based on cost-sharing and household incomes. The research
intended to establish the extent to which household incomes influenced the
provision of infrastructure and learning resources in Embu and Mbeere districts with
emphasis on cost-sharing, officially introduced in 1986 through an act of
parliament. Despite the high number of schools and pupil enrolments, no systematic
research had been carried out to establish the extent to which differences in
availability and adequacy of school infrastructure and learning resources is related
to cost-sharing and household incomes in the two districts. Data collection was thus
guided by the extent to which cost-sharing in primary schools, has been affected by
rural households' monthly incomes and particularly in the provision of school
infrastructure and other learning facilities in the two districts.
The research used descriptive survey design. Purposeful sampling was used to select
two districts: Embu and Mbeere. Random sampling was used to select an education
Zone in each of the two districts. Ten Schools were selected from each of the two
zones using systematic sampling technique. Purposeful sampling was also used to
select the head teachers since there is only one head teacher per school. A
questionnaire was served on each selected head teacher. Five parents were selected
from each sampled school for interview using systematic sampling technique. The
researcher explored infrastructure and facilities in the selected institutions using an
observation checklist. The data were analysed using both qualitative and
XIII
quantitative methods. Observations and opinions were explained qualitatively and
juxtaposed for comparison. The level of provision of school inputs was analyzed
quantitatively using means and percentages. Analysis of variance was used to
determine whether there was a significant difference between means due to the two
regions (at 0.05 level of significance).
It was found that only 57% of schools in Mbeere districts had the required school
inputs while Embu district had 88%. This is a wide disparity in the adequacy and
quality criteria of school infrastructure and learning resources. It was also found that
the average monthly incomes for households were Ksh 6,546/= for Embu district
and Ksh 2,650/= for Mbeere district. The differences between mean incomes were
found to be significant.
The study concluded that the disparities in primary school learning inputs in the two
districts were caused by disparities in household incomes and cost-sharing, since the
ability to contribute was based on the parent's level of income.
It was recommended that the interventions to reduce disparities in school inputs
should emphasize the provision of school infrastructure, based on the specific needs
of a particular school, in addition to funding per pupil under the free education
program.
Description
Master of Education, Department of Educational Foundations, 106p.
August, 2004