Projection of optimal allocation of educational Resources in primary and secondary schools in Kenya During the period 2013-2030

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rapid population growth and the commitment of Kenya government to offer free and compulsory basic education have greatly increased the demand for education in Kenya. Studies indicate that non-enrolment still persists in Kenya partly due to inadequate educational resources, poor school environment, overcrowded classrooms and overburdened teachers. The purpose of this study is to project an adequate allocation of education resources for the primary and secondary schools in Kenya during the period 2013-2030. The study objectives are: to project school age population (6-17 years) corresponding to primary and secondary levels for the period 2013-2030; to project enrolments in primary and secondary schools in Kenya in 2013-2030; to estimate the optimal number of teachers required for the enrolments by primary and secondary levels in 2013-2030; to estimate the free schooling funds required for the enrolments in primary and secondary schools in Kenya in 2013-2030 and to estimate the optimal number of classrooms required to accommodate the school enrolments in primary and secondary schools in Kenya in 2013-2030. The results of this study may be used by the education planners and managers to plan and allocate adequate education resources to schools. The study used conceptual framework with school age population as independent and education resources as dependent variables. The study design used was trend analysis of past time series data of demographic and enrolment indicators. The study population comprised of the school age population (6-17 years of age) who were 12,025,635 in 2009. The sample was selected through a saturated sampling technique. Data were collected by the use of proformas and interview schedules. Face validity and desk review reliability were used. Data was collated by the use of cohort projection model, after which the government official rates of resource allocation were used to estimate the required quantities of teachers, free schooling funds and classrooms. Triangulation data analysis was used. The results indicated that school age population would increase by 23.32 percent and enrolments by 23.0 percent which translated into teachers required increasing by 29.9 percent, free schooling funds by 109.77 percent and classrooms by 23.0 percent. The projected enrolments when segregated into primary and secondary levels of education indicated that the secondary level was increasing at a higher rate than the primary level. Recommendations based on this study indicate that the government should bridge the existing shortages and then annually recruit 5,800 teachers, boost the free schooling kitty with Kshs. 2.0 billion and construct 3,833 new classrooms to take care of increasing enrolments.