School Based Factors Influencing Provision of Quality Free Primary Education in Makindu Sub-county in Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the factors influencing provision of quality free primary education in Makindu Sub-County in Makueni County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine the extent to which administrative experience of head teachers, professional qualification of teachers, provision of physical facilities, provision of teaching and learning resources influence the provision of quality free primary education in Makindu Sub-County in Makueni County, Kenya. The study was based the on systems theory which emphasizes that system implementation should be used proactively to help improve a program as well as retroactively to judge its value. The study employed descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 788 teachers and 65 head teachers of 65 public primary schools in Makindu sub-County. The sample comprised of 30 head teachers and 150 teachers. Questionnaires and observation checklist were used to collect data. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviation assisted by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while the qualitative data from the open-ended questions in the questionnaire was analyzed thematically using content analysis. The study found that that head teachers were punctual in executing the ministries policies and teachers’ experience helps them in ensuring quality education in the school. The study also found that teachers’ qualification and their level of in-service training influenced their performance. The study further established that physical facilities such as adequate teaching aids- charts, adequate library books, adequate reference books, availability of sanitary facilities in the school and availability of water in the school affect quality of free primary education to a very great extent. The study also established teaching and learning facilities such as well-equipped library facilities, adequate desks and general furniture and provision of teaching and learning facilities improve the quality of education to a great extent. The Kenyan government should also build more primary schools to cater for the high pupils’ enrolment and in addition employ more teachers to handle the large number of pupils in primary schools. This will improve the teacher-pupil ratio which is currently very high and as a result the quality of education will improve.