Cost sharing policy on delivery of quality education in Kabwe District of Zambia: exploring its effectiveness and sustainability

The study explored the effectiveness and sustainability of cost sharing policy in Kabwe urban
district. The study had three objectives: to examine the effectiveness of cost sharing on the
delivery of quality education; to assess different ways of developing quality education and to
explore possible mechanisms of sustaining cost sharing on the delivery of quality education.
The study engaged conceptual framework as a combination of effectiveness and
sustainability to produce quality education. The study was guided by Neo-liberal Theory.
The study employed a case study. The target population consisted of parents /guardians with
pupils at secondary school, DEBS office, Head /Deputy Teachers, Teachers and Grade
teachers who were purposively selected. Purposive sampling was also used to select four
secondary schools: Mukobeko, Kabwe, Broadway and Mine in Kabwe Urban District. The
total study sampling was 156.
The instruments used for data collection included semi-structured interviews, focus group
discussion guide and self-administered questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected and
analyzed as themes and sub-themes came out through thematic analysis. The study revealed
having proper physical infrastructures, updated learning and teaching Aids and well trained
academic staff. The study also revealed that cost sharing was sustainable through lobbing
support from well-wishers, levying pupils, reintroduction of school boards, record keeping as
well as income generating projects.
Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the perception of seeing government
as the biggest sponsor of education had caused many not to be willing to respond positively;
attitudes towards payment of school fees by parents was negative; The study recommended
the following; government to ensure that funds were realized in good time; increase
allocation of funds; put up strong and strict monitoring mechanism of funds.