Mobilization And Allocation Of Teaching And Learning Resources Among Subjects In Public Secondary Schools In Makueni County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The Kenyan government is committed to providing adequate teaching and learning resources by financing basic education for all its citizens. In spite of this commitment, sufficiency of resources remains unachieved in public schools due to inadequate financial resources in most parts of the country. The purpose of this study was to find out methods of resource mobilization and allocation amongst subjects in public secondary schools in Makueni County. This study utilized the cost-effective model which emphasized on educational evaluation and how this can be used to evaluate instructional programs. Descriptive survey design was utilized in the study. The target population included 129 principals, 877 teachers and, 7,273 students. The total target population was 8,279. Sampling was done using random and non-random methods. The sample was drawn from 129 secondary schools. Out of these schools, 26 schools were sampled with all the 26 principals purposively sampled to participate in the study. Teachers were sampled using a formula developed by Gay in 1992. Teachers sampled were 88 from the 26 schools such that at least each school had a male and a female teacher in the sample. Students were sampled using a formula developed by Yamane in 1967. The total student sample was 379 with 190 boys and 189 girls. The total sample size was 493 respondents. The study used questionnaire as the main data collection tool. Piloting was done two weeks before the study in one secondary school which was not included in the sampled schools. Validity of instruments was ascertained by consulting supervisors while reliability was done by use of the test re-test method. A correlation r = 0.79 was obtained. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the findings presented by use of frequency tables and graphs. The findings of the study revealed that teaching and learning resources were majorly acquired through purchase by school by using government funds (69.23%) and donations by NGOs (61.14%). Teaching and learning resources were majorly allocated according to class size or enrollment per subject (80.77%) and resources available in schools (69.23%). The major challenges in mobilizing and allocating school resources were lack of enough funds (82.61%) and large class enrollment (69.23%). Parents‟ involvement and prioritizing critical areas of teaching and learning were suggested as the major possible ways of curbing the challenges. The study thus concludes that provision of sufficient teaching and learning resources needs to be integrated within a poverty reduction strategy that anticipates and provides for forward and backward linkages of the expanded education system. The study recommended that Ministry of Education should provide capacity building to all schools managers on standards and guidelines on budgeting in order to improve on the coordination and accountability of all funds received by the schools