The answers to the research questioned mentioned above have
provided us with an avenue for understanding the strong motivation behind
investment in primary schools in East Africa and the related prevailing
investment climate. These answers have to an extent covered the focus and aim
of this study which set out to assess the contribution of private schools
entrepreneurs in educational provision on the continent. Several points of
views of advocators and non advocators of the private school system were taken
into account in the overall process of analysing the information obtained
through data collection. Hence the research plan was divided into five major
chapters and their content though structurally independent was interrelated and
all linked to the main research question.
The first chapter aimed at bringing the general information
to our topic, thus setting the scene for a thorough understanding of the
thematic approach to the research. It did give a rationale for the study as
well as it explained the reasons for focussing on the private sector and
entrepreneurship in Kenya (Kibera).
Chapter two reviews past and ongoing research on private
schools in Africa with foci on private schools in poor area. The priority here
is given to current trends on the growth of private schools in Africa and the
impact on the educational process in the global campaign against illiteracy.
Arguments for and against this form of provision are reviewed and specific
points taken into account in the analysis. Further the part equally discusses
entrepreneurship in an African context with suggested measures advocated for an
effective developmental move on the continent.
In chapter three, the methodology of the research is
discussed and explanations are given to justify the use of specific techniques.
A general overview of the case study is revisited and attempts of figuring out
the corresponding paths to explore the research question and sub questions
through quantitative and qualitative methods are equally observed. This chapter
states the procedures adopted in gathering the data in Kenya and briefly
enumerates other sources of information related to the topic and establish
basis for analysing these data.
Chapter four on its own gives a presentation and analysis of
the main findings obtained through our research instruments. It addresses the
question `How and why do private school entrepreneurs contribute to
education for all in Kenya?' Particular attention is paid to all the
elements of response given by the respondents and these are critically analysed
in such a way that each sub question is provided with an accurate answer. The
related documentation and pupils' test scores are equally well exploited and
their substance combined with information from other sources. All these are
summarized at the end of the chapter.
Finally, chapter five is concerned with a general conclusion,
suggestions and recommendations for further research. This chapter in a
nutshell relates our study findings to the literature review and provides more
explanations on the research outcomes. In the light of the results, some
suggestions are mentioned and recommendations channelled for future
investigations in the field. This chapter is somehow the «denouement»
of the research.
Chapter Two - Literature Review 2.1
Introduction
This chapter seeks to highlight the different theories, past
and ongoing research works on the entrepreneurship and educational development
that formed the basis of this study and to discuss related literature on the
variables of this study.
For this purpose, a number of books, articles, journals,
websites and conference reports have been scrutinized in order to provide the
study with consistent and reliable motives for its investigations. A great
importance was given to what many scholars have written or said concerning
education and development in Africa, the Kenyan case included.
This chapter has a focus of three major aspects. The first
part deals with variables on private education in Africa paying attention to
the tremendous development which is being noted in this field over the
continent. The second part will be dealing with questions related to Free
Primary Education (FPE) and private schools for the poor in Africa, followed by
a short look at entrepreneurship in Africa as well as the impact it has on the
development of the continent. Finally the third part shall look at the aspects
surrounding the actions undertaken by private
school organisations such as the Kenyan Independent Schools
Association (KISA), a Nairobibased group well known for their
efforts in improving the quality of their schools in Kenya.
The structure outlined for this chapter was deemed well
elaborated and informative enough for a better understanding of our research
topic and the motivation behind the whole study. This will certainly bring more
light to appraise from an African perspective, the role of private school for
the poor in meeting the United Nations Millennium Goals (MDGs) of universal
primary education by 2015. (Tooley and Dixon, 2003)
