Non-Governmental Organizations' Educational Contribution To Needy Primary School Children In Vol Division, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Parentsof needy children lived below poverty line. Consequently their children were denied the

opportunityto enjoy increased access in aspects not included in free Primary education (FPE)

package.This descriptive survey study sought first to quantify NGOs contribution to education

inVoiin aspects not included in the free education package and secondly to find out if there

werealternative sources of assistance in the absence of NGOs assistance. The population of the

studyincluded those who had received NGO assistance only in Voi division comprising of 30

schools,100 class teachers, and 474 (287 boys and 187 girls) needy children, their 398 parents /

guardians.The overall total target population number was 1005 respondents. The researcher

usedpurposive sampling technique as part of multistage sampling procedure together with the

simplerandom technique and·t~~ random assignment technique to select 100% NGO managers

(3)from Plan international, Global Education Partnership and World Vision, 30% of head

teachers(10), teachers (30), parents (119) and needy children (142) that is 86 boys and 56 girls,

fromNGO assisted public primary .schools (10): Sagalla location's Gimba, Kalela, Sagalla,

GeorgeSowa and Gideon Mosi and Kasighau location's Kajire, Kale, Itinyi, Rukanga and

Miasenyi.The researcher developed five (5) research instruments: two interview schedules for

NGO managers and head teachers and three focus group discussion guides to collect primary

data. Secondary data was collected through reviewed literature, from books, newspapers,

journals,bulletins, theses and the internet. Data were collected through observations, in depth

interviews and focus group discussion. Quantitative data presentation took the form of

percentages,means, frequencies, tables, pictures and pie charts. The NGOs contributed through

advocacy,uniform, desks, text books, pens and rulers, school feeding programme, free medical

camps,boreholes, water tanks constructing classrooms/kitchens, employing and paying the

PTAINGO teaching staff, which helped improve access and completion by increasing

enrolment and completion and lowered drop out. However, as girls' access and completion

trendsin Voi division improved that of the boys dropped sharply. The study found low 46 %

male participation compared to 54% female participation in education in Voi. Alternative

sourcesof assistance in the absence of NGOs', merry go rounds, small scale micro enterprises

(SMEs)women groups, profit making enterprises or organizations like Taita Discovery Centre,

Tycoon ranchers, Corporate bodies like Safaricom, Airtel, Wild Life Works, Churches',

Constituency Development Fund, Voi Municipal Council, Free Primary Education, and self

sustainability using the capacity building skills as taught by outgoing NGOs. The researcher

recommends that the NGOs, government, parents and the communities should consider building

boarding primary schools in Voi. The government should bring to book those who have been

involved with the FPE corruption scandals in order for donors to build faith in the Kenyan

government again. Companies, groups or individuals should consider assisting the needy

children in Voi access education. Finally, parents of needy children should take responsibility

over their children and see NGOs as filling the gap left by the government, themselves and the

community.