Factors influencing timely completion of infrastructural projects in public secondary schools in Kenya: a case of Kitutu Masaba constituency, Kenya

Abstract

This research had the title; Factors influencing timely completion of infrastructural projects in public secondary schools in Kenya: A case of Kitutu Masaba Constituency, Kenya. The research was guided by the following objectives: To establish the extent to which management skills among secondary school managers influences timely completion of infrastructural projects in secondary schools; To determine the extent to which timely availability of funds influences timely completion of infrastructural projects in secondary schools; To assess the extent to which conflicts influence timely completion of infrastructural projects in secondary schools and to establish the extent to which stakeholder participation influences timely completion of infrastructural projects in secondary schools.

Survey research design was used to collect the data from a target population of 56 schools in the constituency. Of these schools, 48 schools, 24 schools from each district of the constituency, were randomly selected to constitute the sample for the study. School principals, PTA chairmen and the DEOs were then purposively selected to make a sample size of 98. Validity and reliability of the instruments were ensured by test-retest techniques. Permission to collect data was given by the Ministry of Higher Education (Department of Research). The collected data was analysed by use of percentages and frequencies and compared to the reviewed literature for interpretation.

Based on the findings of the study the researcher concluded that Management Skills amongst school managers influences timely completion of school projects. Timely availability of funds also influences these projects. Conflicts between various stakeholders were found to be taking place and affecting timely completion of the projects. The researcher also concluded that stakeholders are involved but how seriously they play their roles may be a factor that is influencing timely completion of these projects.The researcher made the following recommendations: School managers and especially principals should undertake professional courses that are tailored to enable them acquire relevant skills for project management in schools.

Stakeholders like the BOGs and PT As should be composed of individuals who have professional experience in construction work or have attended related courses. This research also proposed that schools should engage in some income generating activities. Other recommendations are; the government to subsidize the cost of some of the major construction materials like cement and iron sheets and school managers should be trained in conflict resolution and management. The researcher also made the following suggestions for further research: Research on school infrastructure should be carried out to determine the influence of informal constructors on the quality of school infrastructure in Kenya; Research should be carried out on income generating projects that schools can engage in that can provide extra funds that could go into supporting construction of school projects.