An assesment on the availabilty and utilization of libraries, science laboratories and equipment in secondary schools in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County.

Abstract

The availability and utilization of resources like libraries, laboratories and equipment play an important role in achievement of educational goals and objectives, Adeogun and Osifila (2008). However, several studies have revealed that they are not only inadequate but also unequally distributed in secondary schools in Kenya. Through free education introduced in 2008, the government has been providing finances to all secondary schools depending on their enrolment to acquire educational resources. Further, resources are also availed to secondary schools through constituency development fund. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability and utilization of libraries, laboratories and equipment in secondary schools in Mbeere South Sub- county. This study adopted a survey design. The objectives of this study were to establish the status of libraries and laboratories in secondary school, to determine how students and teachers utilize the available libraries, laboratories and equipment, to establish from what source the laboratories and libraries are funded, to determine if there is any difference in the availability and utilization of libraries, laboratories and equipment in the different categories of schools. The research was carried out in Mbeere South Sub-county because available data showed poor performance in sciences. The researcher used survey design because it helped the researcher to describe the existing conditions and make inferences related to this study. The population for the study comprised of 43 secondary schools in Mbeere South Sub-county. Stratified sampling was used to sample public schools, boys, girls, and mixed because earlier research had shown that gender influences availability of educational resources Kendell (2006). The study sample comprised of 17 principals, 17 HODS (science) and 14 students in form 3 classes in each category of schools sampled through purposive sampling technique. Questionnaires and check lists were used to collect data.