Influence of corporate social responsibility programmes of commercial banks on the performance of public primary schools in Nakuru Municipality

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility is concerned with how far organizations take responsibility to develop the society in which they operate and how they reflect society's interests in addition to their own commercial priorities. The government is unable to provide all the funds required to finance education so Corporate Social Responsibility programmes of Commercial Banks supplement government funding to education.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of CSR programmes of Commercial Banks on the performance of Public Primary Schools in Nakuru Municipality. The objectives of the study were to: determine the extent to which the provision of physical learning facilities, instructional materials and learning support infrastructure influenced the performance of Public primary Schools.

The study adopted a descriptive survey design in which twenty five Public Primary Schools assisted by Commercial Banks were involved. Data was collected using questionnaires, descriptive statistics mainly percentages and frequencies were used to analyze data with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer programme. Findings of the study were presented in tables. The study findings were that classrooms and furniture provided by Commercial Banks had significantly helped to improve academic performance; pupil-book ratio was improved by donation of text books; water tanks had reduced water-borne diseases and improved hygiene while toilets and libraries had significantly eased congestion in the use of these facilities.

The study therefore concluded that the CSR support by Commercial Banks had significantly improved academic performance in Public Primary Schools in Nakuru Municipality. The study had the recommendations that: there is need for Commercial Banks to review their policies on CSR and allocate more funds to the development of education especially the primary school sub-sector; the government to sensitize the public on the economic challenges of FPE so as to secure more support towards its implementation and that Headteachers ensure that School Management Committees are more actively involved in the prioritization of school development projects as well as networking with other stakeholders in education. This will enhance the chances of their schools benefiting from programmes funded by such donors.

Suggestions for further research were that a study be undertaken to evaluate the effects of CSR programmes of Commercial Banks on the performance of all schools in Nakuru Municipality and another study be done to evaluate the effects of CSR programmes of Commercial Banks on the performance of Public Primary Schools outside Nakuru Municipality.