Publication:

Effects of free primary education on enrollment in Public primary schools of Kandara sub county.

Free Primary Education made many parents in Kenya of low level households to have a sigh of relief. Majority of the Kenyan children before the advent of Free Primary Education were not able to access Primary Education due to the escalating cost of education. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of free primary education on enrollment in public primary schools of Kandara Sub - County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the Abrahams Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory. The study reviewed literature related to research objectives. The study used descriptive survey design combining both qualitative and quantitative research strategies to gather information on effect of Free Primary Education on pupils’ enrollment in public primary schools of Kandara Sub - County. Fifteen schools constituting 20.8% of the 72 schools in Kandara Sub-County were sampled. From the sampled fifteen schools, respective head teachers were purposively sampled; one teacher was also purposively sampled from each school (picked from the lower classes). Out of the total pupils’ population in the schools, the study randomly picked five pupils. Two parents’ representatives from each class were also purposively sampled. The study participants comprised 15 head teachers, 30 teachers, 30 parent representatives, 75 pupils and 1 QASO. Three data collection tools were employed; that is, a questionnaire, an interview schedule and an observation schedule. Reliability and validity of the instruments was assessed through a pilot study prior to actual data collection procedure. Computer programmes such as excel were used to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data. The data was presented in pie charts, tables and bar graphs. The study findings revealed that the schools in Kandara Sub County did not have enough teaching/learning resources and most of the schools did not have school feeding programmes. Inadequate teaching/learning resources and lack of school feeding programmes were cited as reasons as to why pupils did not enroll for school in great numbers as they would. Based on the findings, the study recommends; that the local leaders should educate parents on the importance of sending their children to school, the government should ensure that schools are provided with enough teaching/learning resources depending on the number of pupils and teachers in the schools to enhance learning as well as provide funds in good time. The community and parents should support feeding programmes in the school.