Institutional Facilities and Quality of Students’ Educational Experience, The Case of Universities in Kenya

The role of education in enhancing individual and societal well-being has been well established. Social and economic systems place education at the center of efforts to improve the knowledge and skills of those in productive sectors of the economy. It is resources that oil the gears and propel education production systems. Resource allocations must therefore target components of the systems that have the greatest impact on social wellness. Higher education institutions (HEI) are perceived as organizations that seek to optimally allocate resources to maximize quality educational outputs, which drive socio-economic development. Evidence indicates that facilities as a resource rank second among expenditure costs after personnel emoluments. The extent to which facilities contribute to an institution’s operations and value is a matter that interests this study. The question to answer was: is there a nexus between facilities, their use and the quality of students’ educational experience to justify such cost outlay? This study sought to investigate stakeholder perception of the role of facilities in enhancing education quality in universities. A descriptive survey research design was used. A sample of 524 respondents from both public and private universities was selected using both purposive and proportionate random sampling techniques. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected using questionnaires, observation guides and interview guides. Qualitative data was transcribed, and presented in themes. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Percentages, means, and chi-square (χ2) was used to determine stakeholder perceptions of the role of facilities in enhancing the quality of university education experience, and to determine the existence of a relationship between perceptions in public and private universities. All statistical inferences were made at α = 0.05. This study is likely to benefit university management decisions on levels of enrolment vis-à-vis facilities and resources for university education. It provides evidence on the relationship between facilities and the quality of education experience and the value institutions derive from facilities use and management. Sponsors of public education may make informed choices in favor of institutional inputs that impact student experience, and encourage universities to prioritize social value in what they offer