Harambee philosophy and the institutes of science and Technology: a case study of sang'alo Institute of Science and Technology

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of the philosophy and spirit of Harambee and how it has been used to establish and maintain Harambee Institutes of Science and Technology. Special attention is given to how these institutes relate to the total government educational policy. It is argued that, though they represent a potentially crucial element in the process of economic and social change, their true potential has vet to be realized, and as they exist today, they can at be~t have only a marginal impact upon the course of development. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine and describe the present status and role of Harambee institute of science and Technology, using Sang'alo Institute of Science and Technology as a case study. In particular, the study focuses on the role being played by Sang'alo Institute in making contributions towards satisfying the socio-economic needs of the people of Bungoma District. The sample study population-comprised a total of 184 respondents. Of these 71 were current student trainees enrolled in the first, second and third yea~ training programmes at the institute; 44 former trainees (Graduates) of the institute currently workinq in various parts of the Republic; 9 staff members of the institute; 3 members of the Board of Governors; 3 members of the Board of Trustees and 54 randomly selected members from different I backgrounds , of the community. Four· research questions and various related sub-problems were developed to guide the data collection and analyses. The investigation proceeded on the basis of the established formal primary and secondary research techniques, using questionnaires and- personal interviews' and reviewing of the related literature. Where.as the responses from the questionnaire were computer analyzed, those from the interviews were summarized. All the responses were then discussed and presented decriptively, making use of Tables and frequencies. A total of ·66% usable returns of the expected 75% was considered to be satisfactory for the purposes of this study. The major findings were as follows: (1) There was a dire need for a College of Science and Technology by the Bungoma people. Its location at Sang'alo was because of the available farm and the infrastructure on it; (2) that. the structural organization of the institute permitted and facilitated the training programme; (3) despite the fact that the institute is a Harambee project, its sources of finances are varied; (4) that the institute is making contributions towards satisfying the· socio-economic needs of Bungoma district.