| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the effectiveness of agricultural based self reliance project of Rongai Boys High School in Rongai District. This study was guided by five research objectives that investigated the following aspects: project's ability to contribute to production of food for the school consumption ;project's ability to assist in generating income for the school ; project's ability to contribute towards labour supply development through imparting of skills and knowledge among students; students perception on self reliance once they leave Rongai Boys High School; The contribution of the Agricultural based self reliance project in lowering school fees.
The literature review was organized in themes related to the Agricultural education project. These themes include: self reliance, concept of self reliance in education, concept of food production, self reliance Agricultural production in school, Economic element, values of student involvement in Agricultural based project, research gaps The researcher used a case study design in order to have an in-depth investigation of the factors influencing the effectiveness of agriculture based self reliance project in enhancing self reliance of Rongai High School. The researcher targeted the principal, project coordinators, the teachers and students of the school.
The researcher with the help of the principal picked a focus group discussion of ten students. All thirteen teachers in the school, the principal and the project coordinators participated in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, an observation check list and document analysis guide. Questionnaires were administered to students and the teachers while interviews were conducted for the two project coordinators and the principal. The qualitative data were organized into themes and the results were presented by use of descriptive narrative.
The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), version 10, to summarize quantitative data into frequencies and percentages. The study revealed that the Agricultural project was effective in food production for school consumption. The study revealed that the project was fulfilling the school's policy for self-reliance in enabling the school to run its programs without relying much on the external assistance in terms of finance The study shows that the project does assist in generating income/finances for self-reliance of the school indirectly through selling of surplus from the project and labour supply The project activities plays a major role by equipping the students with skills and knowledge that are geared in assisting them to be self-reliant once they leave Rongai Boys High School. Surplus from the project such as vegetables, pigs, milk and eggs particularly during the school vacation are sold to earn the school some money. This in turn reduces the school fees.
The researcher recommends evaluation of the project once in a year and writing a project proposal, soliciting for money from donors for purchasing the land next the school in order to expand the Agricultural based self reliance project. Area of further research suggest from the study are; 'find out the impacts of the Agricultural based self reliance project to students after completing their high school education' and, a Comparative research can be carried out to all the De La Salle Brothers schools in Kenya to find out what are the strengths and challenges facing each school in the light of Lasallian ideal of education. | en_US |
