An Evaluation of the Impacts of Decentralized Resources Allocation by the Community on the Performance of Secondary Schools in Gucha District, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there exists a relationship between decentralized resources allocation by the community to secondary schools and academic performance in Gucha. Cross-sectional design was used in Gucha where quantitative research strategy was used for the collection of data using questionnaires. The target population comprised of 138 secondary schools. Stratified random sampling strategy was used to select the 3 strata from which 41 schools and 164 teachers were selected as accessible population.  A Cronbach’s alpha index was used to ascertain reliability and it was found to be .815 for all items. Data collected by questionnaires from 145 teachers were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the analysis revealed that there exists a relationship between resources allocated to schools by the community and academic performance of secondary schools in Gucha. From the findings, it was concluded that resource allocation to schools by the community was vital for school performance with implications that there exists inefficiency in decentralized resources allocation to schools. Out of this study, recommendations were made to the Gucha community, the County and National Governments and education stake holders in Kenya.

Key words: District Focus for Rural Development, Community, Resources, Cost-  sharing, Harambee