Influence of constituency development fund on students’ access to secondary school education in Kilungu district Makueni county Kenya

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of constituency development fund on access to secondary education in Kilungu district. The objectives of the study were; to establish the effect of expansion of schools on access to secondary education, to establish the effect of establishment of schools through the constituency development fund on enrolment in secondary schools and to establish the effect of provision of bursaries through the constituency development fund on transition and completion rates of students in secondary education. This was a descriptive survey research that targeted all the 20 secondary schools in Kilungu district comprising of 234 teachers and 5825 students. All the 20 principals, 108 class teachers for forms three and four and 360 students randomly sampled from form three and four participated in the study. The data was collected using questionnaires, observation and oral interviews with principals of secondary schools. The data was analyzed by calculating percentages, frequencies and presented using tables, frequencies, percentage and charts. From the analysis it is revealed that constituency development fund has funded the construction of classrooms, laboratories, dormitories and toilets which influenced students’ access to secondary education in Kilungu district. There was increased enrolment with some schools expanding from single to double streams due to CDF financed projects. The study found that students still walk over six kilometres to get to school and classes are still congested though the CDF had financed the schools. It discovered that the CDF funds were not availed to all schools. 50% of the schools did not have any projects funded by the CDF. Some schools however were found to have multiple projects funded by the CDF. The fund was found not to have established new schools though it supported community initiatives of establishing schools. Bursaries were only allocated to students in boarding schools benefiting a small percentage of students since majority of the students in Kilungu district were found to be day scholars. Bursaries were found to be inadequate in ensuring 100% transition retention and completion rates in secondary education. Students therefore still drop out of school including those awarded bursaries from CDF. From the research several recommendations are made; the constituency development fund should fully fund the establishment of schools instead of joining what the community has done, restructure the bursary to include day scholars and provide enough funds to adequately enable the students remain in school and complete education. Suggestions for further studies have also been given which include; replication of the study in other districts to assess the impact of CDF on students’ access to secondary education, study of the non-fee costs that cause drop outs in secondary schools