Fishing Students into Safety Nets: A Case of Work Study Programme at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Abstract

Work study programme has been put in place by many institutions of higher learning to help needy students cope with daily financial needs. However, very little information exists about its effectiveness as an intervention Programme. This study sought to determine its efficacy at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Descriptive research design was used. Purposive and Simple random sampling was employed to select a sample of 70 students on the programme, and 8 departmental heads. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed descriptively. Though 60% of the respondents reportedly met their personal needs from work study programme, a series of challenges including its limited opportunities, low pay rates, delay in pay processing and stigma. Policy makers at the university should increase slots to accommodate more needy students and increase pay rates commensurate to the local standards of living.