Performance Contracting and Service Delivery in Public Secondary Schools in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Background : Education institutions in Kenya are obliged to provide quality service to the citizens. The Education sector in Kenya has undergone sector reforms just like the other public agencies. Among the most recent is the introduction of performance in schools that gave birth to introduction of performance contracting with the aim of improving efficiency and effectiveness in the management of public resources as well as delivery of service in these institutions. However, despite the reforms, secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia county are still experiencing poor service deliveries. This study objective was to assess the influence of stakeholders’ participation in setting performance targets on service delivery in public secondary schools. Materials and Methods : The study adopted the descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches being used. The study targeted all the 241 principals, 241 BOM Chairpersons, 257 Senior teachers and 526 student’s leaders from 241 secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia county. A sample of 26 secondary schools was identified using Stratified random sampling from four strata. Purposive samplings techniques were used to select 26 principals, 26 BOM Chairpersons, 90 senior teachers and 227 student leaders. The instruments used to collect data were interview schedule, questionnaire and document analysis and Interview schedule were used to collect data from the principals, while questionnaires were administered to BOM Chairpersons, senior teachers and student leaders. Results : The average level of satisfaction in service delivery based on the rating by teachers was 50.3% (mean = 2.5127, std. dev = 1.03458 ) rated moderate, 53.9% (mean = 2.6955, std. dev = 0. .62639) rated moderate by students, and 51.76% (mean = 02.588, std. dev = 0.97818 ) rated moderate by chairpersons Board of Management (BOM). There was a significant positive correlation between stakeholder involvement in setting performance targets and service delivery among secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County. Linear regression findings indicated that Stakeholder’s involvement in setting performance targets had a statistical significant positive casual effect on service delivery in public secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya ( b = 0 .854 , p-value = 0.00 < 0.05). Conclusion: Enhanced stakeholders’ involvement in setting performance targets contributes to improvement of service delivery in public secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya .