EFFECT OF BUDGET ALLOCATION ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN ECDE IN PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA
Keywords:
Budget Allocation, ECDE Service Delivery, Pre-Primary Education, Marsabit County, Public Finance ManagementAbstract
Purpose of the Study: This study examined the effect of budget allocation on Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) service delivery in pre-primary schools in Marsabit County, Kenya. The research aimed to establish whether financial resource allocation significantly influences educational outcomes in resource-constrained arid and semi-arid regions.
Methodology: A positivist philosophy and quantitative descriptive research design were adopted, targeting 500 respondents including education officers, headteachers, and teachers. A sample of 222 was determined using Yamane's formula. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression using SPSS version 28.
Findings: The study achieved a 93.2% response rate (n=207). Respondents agreed that budget allocation enhances service delivery (M=4.05), supports learning materials (M=4.03), and improves infrastructure (M=3.96). Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between budget allocation and ECDE service delivery (r=0.641, p<0.01). Regression results confirmed that budget allocation significantly predicts ECDE service delivery (β=0.426, p<0.001), explaining 18.2% of the variation. Teacher welfare recorded the lowest mean (M=3.92), indicating a priority area requiring additional investment. Inadequate funding for teacher remuneration and professional development undermines service quality and staff retention in marginalized ASAL regions.
Conclusion: The study concludes that adequate, timely, and well-managed budget allocation is essential for improving ECDE service delivery in Marsabit County. Strengthening budget planning, ensuring timely fund disbursement, investing in infrastructure and teacher welfare, and establishing robust monitoring systems are recommended to enhance ECDE outcomes in ASAL regions.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21666743
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