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.
