Effects of Free Primary Education on the Quality of Education in Public Primary Schools in Kanduyi Sub-County of Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of free primary education on the quality of education in public primary schools in Kanduyi Sub-county, Bungoma County. While free primary education has increased participation, it is being viewed as having affected the quality of education in public primary schools. The study examined the effects of enrolment, facilities and human resources due to free primary education on quality of education. The research adopted a descriptive survey because it was concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular group. The research used stratified random sampling by dividing the population into a number of groups of strata, where the members of the group shared a particular characteristic or characteristics. The target population included 30 head teachers, 164 teachers, 270 pupils. The sample was based on 30% the number of members in each group. The researcher used questionnaires, interview schedule and documentary analysis to collect data.  The questionnaire was the main instrument of primary data collection. The researcher randomly picked 2 head teachers, 10 teachers and 20 pupils who participated in the pilot study. These subjects were however omitted from the final research. Both construct and content validity were applied in this study to ensure that the dimensions that were being measured by the instrument of data collection adequately covered what was intended. In order to test reliability, the researcher pre-tested the questionnaires before undertaking the actual research, and a 0.74 reliability coefficient was obtained. Primary data was collected using open ended and closed ended questionnaires and this data was supplemented by secondary data. The data was then analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively by first data coding, error checking and pre-analytical computer check. On a 5-point Likert scale, the relevant variables’ dimensions were processed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 computer software. This study found that education management should focus attention on strategies to increase enrolment of learners in each school in order to make FPE a success, communities need to be sensitized on the need to enroll children in FPE through offering support to ECDE to prepare the pupils going into primary level, and large numbers of pupils in classroom is responsible for the poor performance in Kanduyi Sub-County. It is there recommended that the government should take an active role in the implementation of the FPE program to ensure adequate enrollment. The government should review its policy on FPE so as to allow communities to supplement its effort in pursuit of effective impact and successful delivery FPE programme. It is therefore recommended that the government should take an active role in the provision of necessary funds, equipment and manpower if FPE programme has to succeed. The inferences drawn from this study will assist stakeholders in improving the quality of implementation of FPE by appropriately controlling the factors that affect quality of education. The data was analyzed using a descriptive statistical method, guided by the statistical packages of social science.

Keywords: free primary education, quality of education, implementation