Mapping the efficiency of education: an economic analysis Of educational efficiency as a predictor of Demand of education in Murang’a South Sub-County

Abstract

The success of education programs depends on how efficient and effective inputs are managed to achieve the set objectives. The purpose of the study was to conduct an economic analysis on educational efficiency as a predictor of demand of education in Murang‟a south sub- county. The study intended to find out how cost effectiveness, social rate of return, teacher/student ratio, student/textbook ratio, influences internal efficiency and demand of education in Murang‟a South Sub-County. The study was guided by the human capital theory of 2003, by Baba Lola, Education production theory proposed by Filmier (1999), and Transaction cost theory advanced by Ronald Coase in 1937. The study adopted mixed methodology with a research triangulation design. The target population comprised of 40 public secondary schools, 40 principals, 510 teachers and 13240 students. The sample size included; 5 public schools, 5 principals, 50 teachers and 100 students. Stratified sampling was used to categorize schools into strata where one school was chosen per strata randomly. The principals were chosen through purposive sampling while for the student random sampling procedures was used. The teachers were also systematically chosen. The data was collected using questionnaires, and interview schedules. Piloting of research instruments was conducted in two secondary schools to establish validity, reliability, credibility and dependability. Validity was established through expert judgment who improved the content validity. Reliability was determined using test re-test technique and reliability coefficient of r = 0.65 was obtained using Pearson‟s Product Moment Correlation Method, thus indicating higher internal consistency. Credibility was established through triangulation of data from multiple analysts or experts whereas dependability was established through repeated trial and interviews. Data analysis began by identifying common themes. The relevant information was broken into phrases or sentences, which reflected a single, specific thought. Frequency counts of the responses were then obtained to generate information about the respondents and to illustrate the general trend of findings on the various variables that were under investigation. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the research objectives whereas quantitative data was analyzed inferentially using Pearson‟s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) in Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS version 21). The findings of the study was presented using tables. The study established that cost- effectiveness in use of resources, social rate of returns, teacher-student and textbook-student ratio influence demand of education. However, such has not been the case in most secondary schools. The study thus recommends that principals and other educations stakeholders should prudently make use of the available resources to enhance efficiency of education and thus improve quality. Students, parents and stakeholders should be advised to invest much of their resources in education as a way of safeguarding the future social security or livelihood. The government through Teachers‟ Service Commission to employ more trained teachers to match influx of students courtesy of Free Day Secondary Education Policy. The government and parents should provide adequate, relevant and suitable textbooks since they serve as educational component or inputs for quality education.