Influence of private sector participation on KCSE performance of public secondary schools in Garissa Township- Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the private sector participation influenced the KCSE performance of public secondary schools in Garissa Township. This study employed descriptive survey research design. The target population for the study was 16 secondary school principals, 36 senior teachers, 500 students, 5 educational officers and 5 representatives of the donors. The sample comprised of 8 principals, 16 senor teachers, 52 students, 5 educational officers and 5 representative of the donor whose institutions benefited from the infrastructure development, tuition facilities and financed school programs and education and agency officers were focused to provide information on the amount of inputs used to support school development and impacts of the benefits accrued on school KCSE academic achievements. Data collection was done through questionnaire and interview schedule. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics which included the use of frequencies and percentages. Findings revealed that Private sector provision of tuition facilities influenced KCSE Performance. For example there was provision of textbooks, dictionaries and revision books, provision of e-learning programmes enhanced the performance which led to improvement of KCSE performance. Findings also revealed that private sector infrastructural input influenced KCSE performance. For example Respondents stated that construction of permanent buildings in schools influences academic performance of learners in KCSE. Findings also revealed private sector financing of school programmes influenced KCSE performance. This was revealed by majority of the respondents who participated in the study and agreed that private sector financing school feeding programe influences academic performance. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the private sector ought to diversify their support to schools to include the support in improving the quality of instruction and further enhance KCSE performance. Key recommendation: Government policy to be favorable so as to enable more private sector participation for promotion of quality education and further improvement of KCSE performance.