Faculty of Education and Resources Development

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Browsing Faculty of Education and Resources Development by Author "Komen Kibet"

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    Selected students and institutional based factors influencing internal efficiency of postgraduate studies in public and private universities in kenya
    (Chuka University, 2024) Komen Kibet
    Higher education contributes to national development by generating both human and economic capital. In Kenya, the higher education sector has experienced significant growth, marked by an increase in the number of public and private universities, with a primary focus on enhancing access, quality, and relevance in response to labor market demands. Despite these efforts, the enrollment rate in higher education remains low, with high dropout and low completion rates for doctoral and master’s degrees, indicating substantial levels of wastage. This study aimed to establish the influence of selected student and institutional factors on the internal efficiency of postgraduate studies in public and private universities in Kenya. It was guided by the production function theory and human capital theory. The study employed descriptive and correlational research designs. The target population was 84,983 respondents, comprising 49 graduate school directors, 3,835 academic staff, and 81,099 postgraduate students. Proportionate and simple random sampling methods were used to select 398 respondents, consisting of 15 directors, 90 academic staff, and 293 students. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. A Likert scale was utilized for closed-ended questions, and interview schedules were used to gather data from graduate school directors. Data from academic staff and postgraduate students were collected via questionnaires. The research instruments were subjected to reliability and validity tests before use. Content, face, and construct validity were confirmed before administering the instruments. A pilot study was conducted in two universities to determine the reliability coefficient of the instruments using Cronbach’s Alpha, resulting in an average reliability coefficient of 0.812, which exceeded the 0.7 threshold, indicating that the instruments were reliable. The data were cleaned, sorted, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression at α = 0.05. The study findings revealed that the cost of postgraduate programs, student characteristics, physical facilities, and academic staff characteristics influenced the internal efficiency of universities in Kenya. The study recommends that the government increase funding for higher education and make financial resources available in a manner similar to the sponsorship model used for undergraduate programs. Additionally, universities should be equipped with the necessary facilities, including fully functional libraries, suitable laboratories for teaching and learning, and reliable Internet connectivity. The study further suggests improving the management of research and instruction by enhancing oversight and recruiting sufficient, competent faculty members. Lastly, it advises prospective postgraduate students to balance their social and academic lives by choosing a study model that fits their schedules and effectively managing their time, priorities, roles, and responsibilities.