Social and Economic Effects of Access to Universal Education on Human Development among Households in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya

Abstract

The Study sought to investigate the Social and Economic Effects of Access to Universal Education on Human Development among Households in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya. The conceptualization of the Study was based on the understanding that universal education is viewed as an enabler that tends to unlock individual’s potential thus leading into increased income, increased productivity, access to alternative livelihood sources as well as increased civic participation. The Study was conducted in 13 locations of Machakos Town Constituency (MTC), and applied both the probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques. For the choice of the household’s sample, cluster-simple random sampling was applied implying that each household had an equal chance of being selected for the inclusion into the sample. In the Study, human development was measured by improved standards of living mainly meted by household access to healthcare, access to housing, and food availability Data was collected from the sampled households using structured household questionnaires. Probit model was used to analyze the data with the relevant coefficients and marginal effects being interpreted accordingly. The results indicate that, first, the effect of increased household income, significantly affect human wellbeing via household access to healthcare, access to housing and food security. Second, it was noted that the increase in the household productivity significantly affect human wellbeing via household access to healthcare, access to housing and food security. Third, the results of the model assert that household access to alternative livelihood, significantly influence human wellbeing via the household access to healthcare and food security, however the influence via access to housing was found to be insignificant. Finally, it is noted that well-defined and practiced civic participation have significant effect on human development via household civil rights however the effect of civic participation on human development via access to healthcare, access to housing and food security were found to be insignificant. The Study recommends that first; the county and national governments should focus on activities that increase household income levels. Second, the county and national governments should invest more on universal education particularly on retention of pupils/students, transition from primary to secondary schools and other training programmes that increase individual and household productivity. Third, the county and national governments should re-look at the design and implementation of free basic education with a view to making changes on areas that do not respond to the desired expectations. Finally, the county governments should design civic participation programmes targeting individuals and households to realize the effects of such programmes.