Effects of education delivery methods in Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies on membership growth in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya, East African

Abstract

Education Delivery Methods (EDMs) in Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS) are approaches used to enlighten members to increase co-operative understanding. They play an indispensible role on delivering educational information to members about SACCOS’ business encouraging member trading loyalty leading to Membership Growth (MG). However, in the recent five years, it has remained dismal or is declining. This study examined the theoretical debate on EDMs effect on SACCOS’ (MG). Specifically, the study: (i) established SACCOS’ EDMs in respect to MG (ii) determined the attributes affecting SACCOS’ EDMs on MG. One hundred and fifty SACCOS were sampled using simple random sampling technique. Survey method and in-depth interviews were methods used for data collection. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using multiple regression and content analysis techniques respectively. Results revealed that EDMs on MG were individual contacts, group and mass. Informal meetings, work place visits and home and personal letters were some of the individual contacts EDMs while co operative group meetings such as seminars, workshops and conferences, benchmarking tours were group contact methods. Print media in form of brochures, magazines and newspapers and electronic media like cell phones were mass media contact EDMs. Further, the findings revealed that SACCOS’ EDMs had a positive significant relationship with MG (p< or = 0.05). The attributes affecting EDMs were SACCOS’ budgets, age, dividends, and credit services. The study concluded that the use of technological methods like cell phone through ways such as WhatsApp, radio and television reach out to many audiences compared to other methods. It was also concluded that EDMs usage were low. The study recommends to SACCOS’ board members and managers to use EDMs to provide continuous member education to improve MG.