Effectiveness of NGO sponsorship in enhancing learner retention: a case of Turkana central district secondary schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of NGO education sponsorship on student retention rates in secondary schools in Turkana Central District of the Rift valley province of Kenya. The objective of the study was to find out if NGOs education sponsorship has had an effect on student retention rates in secondary schools. The study was guided by the Educational Production Function which emphasizes that the quality of outputs produced in education is functionally dependent upon the qualities of the inputs used. A conceptual framework was used to explain the relationship between the variables of the study. The researcher adopted a survey study, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. This data was reconciled through triangulation. The study purposively targeted the participants of this study. The sample comprised of five school principals, nineteen class teachers, ten parents, one NGO representative and three hundred and twelve students. Questionnaires, interview schedules, FGDs and document analysis were used as methods of collecting data. The NGO representative was a Faith Based Organization (FBO) which is the Diocese of Lodwar since it‘s the major sponsor in education in the study area. The data in this study was analyzed and interpreted in the light of the objectives and research questions. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically whereas the quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study established that the major reason that makes students to rely on NGO sponsorship is the inability of the parents to pay school fees due to poverty. Most parents are unemployed hence have low incomes. As a result of NGO education sponsorship, accessibility and learner retention is enhanced. Parental involvement in education, socio-cultural practices and economic activities influence learner retention and NGO sponsorship. Therefore, NGO education sponsorship enhances learner retention. In light of the above findings, the study recommends the need to sensitize sponsored students who are successful in life to give back to their community. There is also need to enhance awareness campaigns to educate the community on the importance of education. In addition, the government and other stakeholders in education should work together, and turn girls‘ schools into boarding schools. This will prevent other factors like cultural and economic activities from interfering with their education. Finally, clear government policies on cattle rustling should be set as well as increase government‘s support for the NGOs education sponsorship