Implication of unit cost of education on students’ enrolment in TVET schools in Nyamagabe district

Abstract

Education is a foundation upon which economic, social and political development of any nation is based. Due to its contribution on economic growth, enhanced productivity, national and social development and social equity, Governments and households heavily invest in all forms of education. Despite the heavy expenditure on education by the governments and households, little attention has been given to the unit cost of education of each student. The absence of considerations of unit cost of education in the existing literature of TVET enrolment rate was the source of interest for this study. This study tries to answer four questions. First, what is the effect of home based cost on education on trainees’ enrolment rate in TVET schools in Nyamagabe? Secondly, what is the effect of school based cost on trainees’ enrolment in TVET schools in Nyamagabe? Thirdly, at what extent are parents and trainees aware of the source of finance towards enrolment in TVET schools in Nyamagabe? And last what is the relationship between cost of education in TVET schools and trainees’ enrolment rate in TVET schools in Nyamagabe? The study used descriptive research design to establish the relationship between unit cost of education and trainees’ enrolment rates in public, Government aided and private TVET schools. The data were collected from household heads and principals of TVET schools and also from the Ministry of education and aligned boards and Nyamagabe district offices. The target population comprised all the 1501 household heads 11 managers of TVET schools and one professional in charge of TVET and secondary schools in Nyamagabe. The purposive technic was used to get a sample of 75 household heads while census was used to get the number of school principals who participated in the study. The questionnaires, interview schedule and education document analysis were the main tools for data collection. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Through data analysis, the study established that most of households have more boys in TVET schools than girls. The study also established that there is high correlation between parents’ level of education and children enrolment in TVET schools. On transport cost, the average distance from home of student to school is 16km, with day schools being closer at 12km and boarding schools being 28km away. The study also established that a child is less likely to enroll in a TVET school if the household expenditure is higher than the government expenditure. Thus, government education subsidies may be promoting enrollments in TVET schools. On the basis of the foregoing findings, the study recommends that more day TVET schools be built; school uniform cost for trainees be subsidized; the cost of school facilities, especially buildings and workshop equipment be provided by the government; and school managers be required to adhere to TVET school fees guidelines set by the Ministry of Education.