Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance between PSSP and GSSP Students in Kenyan Universities: Case of Rongo University

Abstract

The study compared and evaluated the academic performance of the students registered under the privately sponsored students program (PSSP) versus those under the government sponsored students program (GSSP) in Kenyan Universities. More specifically, the study   focused on the two aforementioned cohorts of students from Rongo University longitudinally for a period of three years.  In particular, GSSP and PSSP students from School of Education of Rongo University were sampled for this study. A total sample of 136 students were selected  for the study. Secondary data was used in  the study with the previous academic years student results taken as the replications of the study. The academic years 2013/2014 and  2014/2015  exam results were taken as replication in order to check consistency  or variations of students academic performance. Data analysis was done using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 23.0 and results presented  using inferential and descriptive statistics.  Multiple Hypotheses were formulated  to test the main effects and interaction effects between factors. F-tests were used as a basis  of rejecting or accepting null hypothesis at 5% level of significance. The study findings indicated that   there is significant difference  in PSSP and GSSP student performance on second class(both upper and lower divisions), pass and supplementary. However, the findings further  revealed there is no significant difference in academic performance of PSSP and GSSP students in scoring   1^st class  honours.  The findings of this study are expected to help the Kenyan universities and  the  PSSP Directorate make informative decisions while admitting students who did  not qualify for Government Sponsored  Students Programmes at our local universities.

Keywords: Government Sponsored Students Programmes, Privately l Sponsored Students Programmes