Determinants of internal efficiency in public primary schools in Tigania East district, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of internal efficiency in public primary schools in Tigania East district. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sample comprised of 10 headteachers, 100 teachers, 10 Education officers and 400 standard seven pupils in the District. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and were analyzed by use of qualitative and quantitative technique. Findings revealed that parents’ economic background has a p value of 0.01 which is lower than 0.05, (significant level) hence was statistically significant in explaining completion rates. Child labour was statistically significant in explaining completion rates with a coefficient of 0.169. School physical facilities had a p value of 0.28 which was higher than 0.05 hence school physical facilities was not statistically significant in determining completion rates. Teaching learning resource was statistically significant at a p value of 0.02. Based on the findings, it was concluded that economic background of parents of children in primary schools in the area was medium as their source of living was from miraa farming as indicated by the Education officers. On the influence of physical facilities on internal efficiency in public primary schools, the study concluded that pupils did not have adequate sitting place in their class and they sat more than the required number of pupils in a desk. It was also concluded that pupils whose schools lacked facilities and materials were significantly more likely to attain lower scores than those pupils whose schools were well equipped. The study further concluded that majority of pupils did not have writing materials and there were no enough textbooks in the class. The schools had inadequate teaching aids, textbooks, reference materials and staff. The study recommended that the devolved government should seek ways of empowering the parents economically so that they are able to provide for the school needs of their children. The County Government should put up measures to curb child labour such as involvement in Miraa growing so that pupils can fully participate in learning. The headteachers and SMC should seek for ways of providing school physical facilities and teaching learning resources so that effective teaching and learning can be achieved in schools. The study suggested that since this study was conducted in one administrative district, there is need to carry out a similar study in other districts to establish whether similar or different results will be realized. Taking into consideration that the study was carried out in primary schools, there is a need to carry out a study in secondary school to assess the factors that influence internal efficiency. This study focuses on factors such as pupils’ parents economic background, child labour, school physical facilities and teaching learning resources. There is a need to carry out a study on how other factors affect internal efficiency.