Determinants of educational Projects completion time in secondary schools: a case of Eldoret East District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the determ inants of the projects completion time in public secondary schools in Eldoret East District. In particular the study sought to examine the trends of projects progress in Kenyan schools over the last 4 years; investigate school based determinants of project completion time; investigate Non-school based determinants of project completion time and to establish what the educational managers have put in place to reduce possible project delays. The study adapted a descriptive survey design and was guided by the systems theory. The researcher used stratified random sampling procedures to select the 15 public secondary schools and 90 teachers who participated in the study respectively. Further the principals of the 15 schools were purposively selected for the study. Purposive sampling was also used to select provincial schools after stratification due their small numbers. The target population consisted of 38 public secondary schools in the district, including 31,6 and I district. provincial and national schools respectively. A pilot study was carried out in two schools outside those in the sample before the actual study to establish the validity and reliability of the instruments. A Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.50 indicated a positive measure of reliability while consultation with experts ensured validity alongside the test retest exercise. Questionnaires were administered to the teachers and principal respondents in the 15 selected schools while some documents containing relevant information were collected from the district education office and the Constituency Development Fund offices. The instruments helped the researcher to collect both quantitative and qualitative data useful in the study. The data was analysed using descriptive statistical techniques like frequencies, percentages, means, modes and tables. Chi-square was used to test the hypothese. This was done by the help of a computer programme called Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established that training of principals on project and financial management, the level of education of B.O.G members, school category, and the length of stay of principals, high enrolment and sponsors support were the major school-based determinants of project completion time. The non-school based determinants of project completion time were inadequacy of funds, payment delays, poor collection of levies, cost of the project, multiplicity of the project, setting up of right priorities, using locally available materials, improving project supervision , increasing the development fund, and the government. Other determinants were inflation, poor road network, failure by DEB to authorize collection of building funds, diversion of funds and misappropriation of funds. The findings of the study will be useful to the stakeholders in secondary public schools to enhance efficiency, accountability and performance in the management of school projects. Further, the findings will form a basis for policy makers to introduce deliberate guidelines and policies on project management especially this time when opportunities need to be expanded for greater access in secondary education