Influence of Teaching-learning Resources Provision on Students’ Retention Rates in Public Secondary Schools in Naivasha Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Education is a fundamental human right, and a key input in production and development of an economy. This explains why countries worldwide plan for and increase budgetary allocations to fund various educational programs each financial year. There is however concern on the quality of education offered and retention of students in schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Teaching-Learning Resources (TLR) provision on students’ retention rates in Public Secondary Schools (PSS) of Naivasha sub-county. Four objectives were formulated to guide the study; the objectives of the study were to determine how provision of TLR in PSS influenced students’ retention in schools, which was done by determining the availability and utilization of TLR in schools, the study also established how availability and use of TLR influenced students’ retention, and also assessed the extent of resources TLR utilization and its effect on students’ retention in PSS in Naivasha sub-county. The study used descriptive research design, and data was collected using observation schedule and three sets of questionnaires for the principal, heads of departments (HoDs) and students. The target population consisted of all the 35 PSS in Naivasha sub-county, their principals, HODs and students. The sample consisted of 10 principals, 50 HoDs and 400 students from 10 sampled PSS. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to analyze data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Analyzed data was presented using tables and percentages. The study found out that TLR, computers, science laboratory equipment, school library and textbooks were provided and utilized in schools for teaching-learning activities but the TLRs had no influence on retention rates of students in PSS in Naivasha sub-county. Based on study findings, it is recommended that the Government of Kenya (GoK) should provide all the textbooks in all the subjects in the schools, there is need for all schools without a library to make an effort of getting a place for the students to do private studies, computers should be used more in the teaching and learning activities, and schools should improve in utilization of science laboratory equipment in classroom teaching and learning. The study also recommends that a similar research could be carried out in other parts of the country, Kenya, since different parts of the country have different characteristics