Factors Affecting the Implementation of Free Primary Education in Rural Primary Schools: a Case Study of Kikuyu Division, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the factors affecting implementation of free primary education in rural public primary schools in Kikuyu District, Kiambu County. There were four objectives to guide the study; to establish the constrains facing successful implementation of free primary education, to establish the impact of free primary on pupil enrolment and retention rates, to investigate the status of school learning materials; and to establish the impact of availability of adequate school infrastructure on high student enrolment due to the introduction of free primary education. Free primary education (FPE) was initiated by the NARC government in line with achieving Millennium Development Goal Number Two to achieve Universal Primary Education (UPE), to ensure that by 2015, children everywhere; boys and girls would be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools of data collection were used in the collection of primary data. Stratified and random sampling method was sued to identify 71 respondents. Focus group discussions were used with the schools chairpersons, interviews were conducted with the DEO and the researcher made personal observation with an observation checklist. The study found out that implementation of free primary education was faced with a myriad of challenge, for example disbursement of funds calendar delay the purchase of the required teaching and learning facilities. There was poor participation by the stakeholders, poor management and governance. The high enrolment was not transiting to completion. The study recommends that the stakeholders should be sensitized on their role in implementing and sustaining the free primary education policy in their communities. Disbursement of funds calendar should be implemented as per the schedule to avoid education inconveniencies. The government should undertake an education awareness exercise among primary school management bodies on FPE. The government should also involve the stakeholders.