Factors influencing internal efficiency of public primary schools in Suba West Division, Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

The success of education programmes depends on how efficient and effective the inputs are managed to achieve the set objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the internal efficiency of public primary schools in Suba West Division where output of education was reported to be below expectation as shown in KCPE results and net enrolment rate. The objectives of the study were; to determine extent to which gender equality has been achieved in public primary school, to determine correlation between pupil- teacher ratio and pupils’ achievement in examination, to investigate the relationship between school financing/costs and dropout rate and to assess the impact of learning materials and physical facilities on pupils’ achievements in both academic and co-curricular activities in Suba West Division, Migori County. The findings of this research would be significant to Ministry of Education (MOE) in the formulate policies that result in efficient utilization of education resources. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) would use the results of study to identify schools that require immediate action in terms of Teacher-staffing. The study would also help donor agencies to identify areas where they can commit funds. The study used descriptive survey design, which was appropriate because it facilitated data gathering by administering questionnaires. Purposive sampling was adopted since the head teachers and pupils were believed to be having reliable information relevant to this study. The questionnaires were used because respondents could be reached and were able to read and write. The researcher analyzed the data by use of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Quantities data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; findings were presented in form of pie charts, bar graphs and frequency distribution. The research findings indicated that teachers staffing was one of the factors contributing to low achievement in KCPE results in the division. The high pupil teacher’s ratio, low level of training affected quality of service delivery. Poor financial management due to lack of appropriate skills negatively affected acquisition of resources. As a result many pupils dropped out of school due to stress caused by sharing of scarce resources or they were withdrawn by parents who were discouraged by misappropriation and embezzlement of funds. The research found out that most of the schools had poor infrastructures: classes, latrines and inadequate desks. The few that were available were over stretched causing stress among pupils. The research revealed existence of serious gender disparity in the division. The research recommends that community financing be encouraged to provide resources, regular auditing of schools’ accounts, training head teachers on financial management, employment of qualified teachers be priority of the parents and government to uplift education standards in the division. To improve gender equality in the division serious campaigns are recommended through organizations advocating for gender parity such as FIDA, FAWE. Provincial administrators and politicians should ensure that government policies are adhered to, especially on early marriages and child labour. The Teacher’s Service Commission should post more female teachers to the division to act as role models to the girls.