Internal efficiency and public secondary school financing in central division, Kitui district.

Abstract

This study was conducted in Central Division of Kitui District, Kenya. The purpose of the study was to investigate internal efficiency of public secondary schools in the division by examining the impact of sources of finance on secondary school education. Among the study's objectives was the determination of challenges in financing education and establishment of the impact of education financing on students' performance in national exams. The research questions were formulated in line with the objectives. and specifically queried the linkages between education financing and the variables of internal efficiency such as drop out. repetition and transition rates. The literature reviewed recounted historical trends in education financing and elaborated on current sources of financing such as households. state, community and entrepreneurial ventures, and the strengths and shortcomings of each. This detailed literature helped to ground the study and has been utilised to ascertain the finding of the study. The study adopted a survey research design. The headteachers were purposively sampled while the classteachers and students were randomly sampled. Three sets of questionnaires were used to collect data. which was then analysed and interpreted using frequencies, percentages and other descriptive statistics. In answering the research questions it was established that schools faced a perpetual shortage or funds, which affected the timely availing of adequate and quality learning resources. The cost of education was also way above the reach of many as evidenced by the high poverty levels. the high rates of dropout and absenteeism due to lack or school fees. These indicators of inefficiency increased the cost of education while impacting negatively on performance and transition rates. Other problems in education financing included inadequate and unreliable government funding, undependable revenue from income generating activities and a community that could barely impact on financing due to high prevalence of poverty. Strategies to mitigate the impact of financing on internal efficiency were presented; offering bigger bursaries, guiding and counseling students and parents on the importance of education and remedial teaching to ensure syllabus coverage and better performance. This will avoid repetition and dropouts for internal efficiency in schools. The last chapter presents a summary of the findings and conclusions of the study. These include lack of adherence of schools to the government fee guidelines and lack of initiative to seek alternatives to school fees as the major source of financing. The study recommends the establishment of a model school that incorporates best practices in education and financial planning in a bid to enhance efficiency. Lastly, areas for further research have been suggested in order to generate more information on enhancing of internal efficiency.