Role of monitoring and evaluation in development of school infrastructure in Marakwet West Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluation is meant to influence decision-making, including decisions to improve, reorient or discontinue the evaluated intervention or policy; decisions about wider infrastructural projects. However, despite the existence of policies in place, initiation, implementation and completion of school infrastructural projects in Kenya remains a big challenge. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of monitoring and evaluation in development of school infrastructure. The objectives of the study were to; examine components of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of infrastructure development projects in public schools, evaluate M & E policies that ensures transparency and accountability in the infrastructure development projects in public schools, establish the challenges faced in monitoring and evaluation of infrastructure development in public school projects and establish ways of improving M&E in infrastructure development in public schools. The study was conducted in Marakwet west Sub-county of Elgeyo Marakwet County and was guided by program theory by Terrence W Pratt. The study adopted descriptive survey research design using mixed methods approach. A target population of 110 head teachers from both from public secondary and primary schools in Marakwet West sub-county from which a sample of 86 respondents was obtained using Yamane formula. One member from each board of management, sub-county education offices, national government-constituency development fund, parents’ association and non-governmental organizations funding school projects were selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaire and was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was collected analyzed thematically through deriving explanations and making interpretations of the findings. Descriptive data was presented in frequency tables, charts and percentages while qualitative data was presented thematically in line with the objectives of the study. The results of the regression analysis indicated that there was a relationship between the variables (M&E plan and costs, Routine programme monitoring, human capacity for M&E, Supportive supervision and data auditing and Data dissemination and use) and development of School infrastructure and it indicated that these variables had positive significant influence on development of School infrastructure. This therefore indicated that there was significant positive relationship between Monitoring and Evaluation and development of School Infrastructure at p≤ 0.05 significance level (r =0.559). The study therefore indicated that monitoring and evaluation influenced implementation of infrastructure development in public schools. Therefore, monitoring and evaluation needs to be strengthened for effective and successful school projects thus conducive learning environment. The study recommends that monitoring and evaluation be established for effective utilization of project funds; participation of stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation; project costing provide a clear and adequate funds for monitoring and evaluation events; that school infrastructural committee keeps minutes, payment receipts to ensure transparency and accountability