Factors influencing implementation of free primary education Kibwezi East Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting implementing of Free Primary Education Kibwezi East Sub-County, Kenya. The researcher also aimed at finding out how pupil enrolment, teacher-pupil ratio, availability of physical facilities, teaching and learning resources/materials and the perception of headteachers towards implementation of FPE in Kibwezi East Sub-County. The study was conducted through descriptive survey design and employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study targeted all the public primary schools in the county, consisting of 76 public primary schools. For the purpose of this research the researcher used both observation and questionnaire. Findings revealed that teachers in the schools were inadequate as indicated by majority 19(90.5%) of headteachers. Majority 12(57.1%) of headteachers indicated that teachers workload was extremely high. Findings on the availability of physical facilities and implementation of FPE revealed that schools lacked adequate teaching learning facilities for all the pupils in their class as indicated by majority 18(85.7%) of headteachers. Findings on the influence of teaching and learning resources/materials on the implementation of FPE revealed that schools had inadequate personnel to handle the number of pupils as indicated by majority 19(90.5%) of headteachers. Majority 14(66.7%) of headteachers strongly agrees that FPE had increased teachers teaching load unnecessarily, and increased primary school access, majority 19(90.5%) of headteachers strongly agrees that FPE has resulted to poor individual attention to pupils. When much of the planning is for a small group the teacher is able to keep in mind specific intended out comes and s/he can adapt her approach and „match‟ the work to different children easily. The study also found out that parents had a general misconception about the meaning of „free' primary education as they took the view that they were no longer required to participate in school activities while the political leadership was sending conflicting signals about the role of parents and communities participation in funds drive and voluntary contributions. The study further revealed that attention has not been focused on the adequacy of education resources that commensurate with the rate of enrolment due to free primary education. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that teachers in the schools were inadequate. The study also concluded that teacher‟s workload was extremely high. Schools lacked adequate teaching learning facilities for all the pupils in their class. It was also concluded that permanent and good classroom helped the teacher to cope with complex demands of teaching many students. The study also concluded that adequacy of teachers has affected implementation of FPE. The quality and adequacy of resources such as physical facilities have a direct bearing on quality of education, as they determine how effectively the FPE is implemented.. Based on the findings of the study recommended that putting the FPE into operation requires an implementing agent who is the teacher. Teachers need to be equipped to adjust their classroom instruction according to the requirements of the FPE. The headteacher should plan for the physical facilities in the schools bearing in mind that school population keeps on changing in line with change in programmes and modernization. Adequate teachers to be employed to handle large class size as it is difficult work both in preparation and in marking. It also strains the text books. The study suggested that since the study was carried out in one administrative Sub-County, there is need to have a similar study in a larger area and compare the results.