The Influence of Level of Funding on Implementation of Physical Infrastructure Projects in Public Secondary Schools

Abstract

The free primary education and subsidized secondary levels resulted to high enrolment in secondary schools in Kenya. This led to congestion on the existing facilities, especially in government aided secondary schools hence creating the need to construct more relevant physical facilities. However, in many government aided secondary schools, there are examples of faulty project implementation in terms of; incomplete buildings, inadequate instructional materials in some schools, poorly developed play grounds, laboratories with inadequate equipment, congested class rooms and lack of departmental offices. This study therefore aimed at establishing the influence of level of funding on physical infrastructure implementation: a case of Trans-Nzoia and West Pokot Counties, Kenya. The study adopted the Critical Chain Project Management theory while the descriptive survey design was employed. The target population comprised of the principals, the Board of Management (BOM) members, Sub County and County Directors of Education. Questionnaires and interview guides were used in data collection. The validity and reliability of the tools was done by use of the expert’s opinions and a test re-tests technique respectively. The quantitative data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented by using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was organized thematically and analyzed alongside the corresponding quantitative data. The findings revealed that; West Pokot County government allocated more funds towards infrastructure compared to Trans Nzoia. There was more donor support in West Pokot County than Trans Nzoia. Allocation and disbursement of funds from the ministry of Education and Constituency Development Funds delayed. As a result, schools in Trans Nzoia charged parents fees for infrastructure development. Allocation and disbursement of Funds from the ministry of education and the Constituency Development Funds delayed. The study recommended that there is need for more capacity building on outsourcing of resources to help implement projects in secondary schools in the two Counties. The findings from the study would be helpful to policy makers in developing informed policy in financing and implementation in education sector.