Influence Of The Utilization Of Institutional Resources On Internal Efficiency Of Public Vocational Training Centers In Nairobi City County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The efficiency of educational institutions is key in the rationalization of resource allocation and use. However, developing countries like Kenya are facing efficiency challenges regarding resource use as well as the flow of students through the school system at various levels of education and programs. The government of Kenya (through county governments) has increased investments in the development of vocational training centers in recent years, but the number of students already enrolled are dropping out, thus rendering most of the allocated resources underutilized. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of the utilization of institutional resources on internal efficiency of public vocational training centers in Nairobi city county, Kenya. The study specifically determined the wastage and survival rates in the public vocational training centers in Nairobi city county; determined the influence of the level of utilization of human resources on internal efficiency; established the influence of the level of institutional preparedness for practical skills training on internal efficiency; and then assessed the influence of the adequacy of financial resources on internal efficiency. The study was conducted by the theory of Modern Efficiency Measurement and education production function. Correlational research design was employed in the study. A sample of 45 tutors from six purposively selected vocational training centers were selected for interview. The data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Prior to the study, a preliminary survey (pilot study) was carried out to ensure that research instruments employed were reliable. To ensure reliability the instruments were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the Cronbach‟s alpha. Data was analyzed as per the research questions. The collected quantitative data was analyzed using linear regression to show the relationship, while the qualitative data was analyzed thematically to provide supplementary information to support the quantitative data. The findings reveal internal efficiency rates of between 12% and 47%. The results further indicated a total human resource utilization rate of about 24% and the level of institutional preparedness to practical skills training of 70%. The linear regression indicated a simple correlation of +0.68 between internal efficiency and human resource utilization; a simple correlation of +0.42 between internal efficiency and the level of institutional preparedness to practical skills training; and a simple correlation of +0.34 between internal efficiency and adequacy of financial resources. All these were statistically significant at 0.000, 0.004 and 0.022 respectively. Finally, the results were presented in form of tables and figures.