IMPACT OF CAPITATION GRANT ON SCHOOL ENROLMENT AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN THE SAGNARIGU DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN REGION

This dissertation examines the impact of the capitation grant on enrolment and performance of pupils at the basic school level in Sagnarigu District. It used a survey to assess the opinion of head teachers, teachers and District Director of education regarding the impact of the capitation grant policy on pupils’ enrollment in the district. A survey of 150 respondents within selected schools captured questions on respondents’ demographics, capitation grant and pupils’ enrolment, capitation grant and its successes, capitation grant and its challenges and other stakeholders’ opinions. A purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting teachers, head teachers and the district director of education. It was revealed that Capitation grant has increased the enrolment of pupils since its inception in the district. Even though the study showed an increased in both boys and girls enrolment before and after the introduction of capitation, there was no significant difference between boys and girls enrolment before and after the introduction of capitation grant. It was also revealed that the since the inception of capitation grant pupils’ performance Basic Certificate Examination in the three core subjects was increased by 1 per cent. It was also indicated that boys performed better academically than girls since the inception of C.G. The study also revealed that capitation grant has helped in bridging the enrolment gap between children from poor and rich homes. Capitation grant also encouraged poor parents and guardians to send their girl-child to school as a result of its inception. The implementation of capitation grant has assisted in payment of culture and sport levy, purchase of Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs), organization of field trips and sponsoring teachers to attend workshops. There is no doubt that all these have relieved both teachers and parents some financial burdens.