Influence of Non-governmental Organizations Role on Vulnerable Children’s Access to Basic Education in Nyahururu District, Laikipia County-kenya
Abstract
Lack of full capacity and budgetary constraints in general have opened up the education
sector for NGO involvement. While there have been many studies on the role and impact
of NGOs both in Kenya and in post-conflict zones, there has been limited research and
data on the role of NGO assistance to the development of the education system, generally in Kenya and Nyahururu in particular. This study therefore sought to examine the contribution NGOs in Nyahururu have made in enhancing access to education by the
vulnerable children. It aimed at establishing the extent to which NGOs financial support
to schools affects vulnerable children’s access to basic education in Nyahururu District,
to determine how the NGOs intervention in the provision of basic necessities to
individual vulnerable children affected their access to basic education, to examine the
influence of NGOs capacity building of parents on access to basic education by
vulnerable children, and to establish the extent to which infrastructure development in
schools by NGOs enhanced access of vulnerable children to basic education. The study
utilized a sample size of 40 students; 20 school principals and 10 CEOs/project managers
working in the NGOs that support education programmes in the Nyahururu district.
Stratified sampling process was used while subjects were arrived at purposively.
Questionnaires and key informant interviews were used for data collection. The data was
then coded and entered into the computer and analyzed with the aid of the computer
programme, the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The results indicated
that all the contributions done by NGOs towards enhancing accessibility of education
among vulnerable children were significant. The contributions towards infrastructure
development scored most at above 60% followed by financial support at 50%. Providing
basic necessities to individuals was third at 36.6% score while last was capacity building
to parents that scored 16.7%. This means NGOs support in the form of infrastructure
development will likely have more impact than the others. Constructing facilities would
provide students with better learning environment and the necessary equipment needed to
pursue studies. More should also be channelled to financial support. This could be in
form of fees payable to institutions, or even pocket money. Providing basic needs follow
in order of priority then training comes last. It will also be beneficial to all students (not
only the vulnerable students). The results showed that NGOs remain relevant in provision
of basic education. On significance of this study, the findings of the study should inform
the school administrators on the relevance of these entities in education with respect to
easing the burden of having to grapple with limited resources. Implementing the
recommendations would enable them to take appropriate action that may foster non-state
actors’ engagement in the education sector to enhance access to basic education for all
vulnerable children. Further research is suggested for other geographical areas apart from
Nyahururu. This is because the scope of this study was limited to Nyahururu district. This
to some extent limited the extent to which the outcome could be used to interpret
situations in the country. Further studies are suggested for wider Laikipia County and for
other areas in which NGOs do support basic Education for vulnerable children.
Citation
Degree of Master of Education in Educational AdministrationPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Education
Description
A Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the
Award of the Degree of Master of Education in Educational Administration
University of Nairobi