Roles Of Public And Private Partners In Financing And Provision Of Public Secondary Education In Migwani District, Kitui County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The central problem of this study was to analyze the roles of public and private partners in financing and provision of public secondary education in Migwani District, Kitui County. Financing education in Kenya has impacted negatively on the school enrollment as the parents shoulder an increasing large proportion of the cost. The user charges in Kenyan Secondary school are too high to be afforded by 56% of Kenyans who according the Millenium Development Goals 2005 Report, are living below the poverty line. This has specifically affected the participation of children from poor and vulnerable households in secondary education in Migwani District. Financing have not been adequately investigated especially in the newly created districts. The purpose of this study was to analyze the roles played by public and private partners in financing and providing secondary education in public secondary schools in Migwani District. The objectives of the study were to determine the direct costs that parents incur, the efforts played by public and private partners in financing secondary education and also to suggest policy recommendations on financing of secondary education to education policy formulators. The study is significant in that it may assist educational planners and education policy makers in planning and making appropriate decisions concerning the provision and financing of public secondary schools. It will also add to a body of knowledge in the area of educational financing by contributing literature on financing in secondary education. The study was conducted using a survey design. From a population of 38 Secondary schools with 6396 students in Migwani District, 10 schools were sampled using purposive sampling techniques considering gender and nature of the school i.e boys and girls’ schools, boarding and day schools, mixed boarding and day. In the mixed boarding and day schools cluster sampling was used to ensure that both boys and girls get equal representation. The study utilized questionnaires and observation checklist as research instruments to collect data. 211 individuals in 10 sampled secondary schools were respondents. They included 10 Head teachers, 1 D.E.O, 160 students and 40 teachers. The data collected was analyzed using quantitative methods. Quantitative data analysis procedures included frequencies and percentages. The result of data analysis was presented in frequency tables, bar graphs and pie chart. Findings indicated that parents were the main contributors of secondary education; the government financed public secondary schools by paying teachers’ salaries and giving bursaries to bright and needy students though not adequate. Community contributed to school Harambee. NGO's, sponsors and developmental partners also contributed. The researcher also noted that some schools engaged in income generating activities such as hiring of school bus to generate income to cater for facilities lacking in the school. The study recommended that the government should reflect on available options and strategies of sourcing for funds to support secondary education, it should encourage private and public partnerships in all regions of the country to achieve effective education, it should also monitor and evaluate all projects sponsored by private partners (NGOs), and it should also encourage local communities to fully participate in supporting their schools by helping in manual work.