Factors influencing sourcing of teaching/learning materials in public primary schools in Bomet central division, Bomet county
Abstract
This study sought to investigate the factors influencing sourcing of teaching /leaming materials in
Bomet Central Division, Bomet County. Under the free primary education, the government is
supposed to provide the teaching/learning materials. These teaching/leaming materials are sourced by
the respective schools through FPE funds provided by the government.
To meet the commitment the Government earmarked Kshs. 5.4 Billion from its project which was
reallocated for the implementation of free primary education (FPE) at the inception of FPE on 6th
January, 2003.
It is important to note that six months down the road after the joyful entry to school by.the 1.4 million
children, there are challenges that have been experienced and that threaten the gains so far realized.
FPE was a turning point to the 1.4 Million children who in the past could not access schools due to
the many charges levied.
Although the country has taken the bold step to launch FPE, there are serious but hopefully
surmountable challenges especially in the sourcing of teaching/learning materials. FPE calls for the
additional instructional materials especially textbooks, supplementary reading materials, reference
books and other stationery.
The government's concem is that quality is at the core of FPE if the programme is to meet its stated
objectives of providing sustainable development for county.
Abolition of all the fees and charges levied to parents before the introduction of FPE means that
responsibility of ensuring that quality education rests with the govemment. The FPE funds were used
to procure the teaching /learning materials for use in schools. This study sought to investigate the
following challenges: availability of skilled personnel, headteacher's managerial skills, pricing of
teaching/learning materials, disbursement of FPE funds by govemment and over enrollment of pupils.
The data collected were presented in the form of tables for easy understanding and interpretation.
Descriptive statistics was used. It was then edited, organized and analyzed.
The study showed that most public primary schools do not have skilled personnel to handle the
sourcing of teaching/learning materials and that headteachers lack managerial skills. It further
indicates that pricing of teaching/leaming materials is influenced by corruption. The situation in
worsened by the fact that the govemment delay in the disbursement of FPE funds and that the
allocation per child is too little. The study also indicated that there is over enrolment in public
primary schools.
The study recommended that the govemment should increase the allocation of funds per child so that
there is adequate teaching/leaming materials in Public Primary Schools. The govemment should
ensure that the personnel handling procurement or sourcing of teaching / leaming materials are
regularly given training/workshops or in-service courses and that all headteachers should be trained
so that they acquire managerial skills. The government should also ensure that there is regular
inspection/monitoring and evaluation so as to ensure that procurement procedures are adhered to.
Citation
Degree Of Masters In Project Planning And Management,Publisher
University of Nairobi,
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]