Influence of financing on institutional capacity of early childhood centres in Kikuyu District, Kenya

Abstract

Even though ECE has been recognized in Kenya as the foundation for EFA goals and the MDGs, the government has accorded little attention in regard to financing issues to spearhead the activities in the ECE centres. Little has been documented and explored on how financing influences institutional capacity with regards to funding sources, adequacy of finance, availability of finance as well as budgetary allocation in ECE centres. In view of this, the study purposed to establish the influence of financing on institutional capacity of ECE centres in Kikuyu District, Kenya. The study was anchored on Max-Neef's theory of human scale development. The study used descriptive survey research design. Data collection was done using questionnaires and observation schedules. The study sample constituted of 70 head teachers, 141 pre-school teachers and 140 parents. Data analysis was done using descriptive stasistics and inferential statitcs while the findings were presented in tables and graphs. From the findings the study concluded that financing was a major impediment towards the realization of institutional capacity. The major sources of financing for ECE centres were parents' contribution, income generating activities and donations from religious organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations respectively. The majority of the ECE Centres had limited sources of financing which posed a major challenge in enhancing their institutional capacity. The adequacy of financing is a key aspect of financing that influences institutional capacity. From the analysis using inferential statistics, the study revealed that there is a positive correlation between the financing and the institutional capacity of ECE Centres. The most significant financing aspect that influences institutional capacity was adequacy of financing followed by availability of financing, budgetary allocation and funding sources respectively. The study recommends that the government should up-scale their budgetary allocation towards promotion of ECE through the MoE to facilitate the acquisition of both human and material resources, physical facilities in order to improve the institutional capacity of the ECE centres. The ECE centres management should adopt hybrid of financing sources to increase their financial stability. The government should subsidize the cost of running ECE programme in terms of training, employment and payment of teachers' to reduce high teacher turnover thus promoting institutional capacity. Finally, the study recommends the need to replicate the same study within a wider scope and to determine other aspects influenced by financing in ECE centres.