Impacts of free primary education on the pupils academic Performance among lower primary and early childhood Development education (ECDE) a case study in Mulala Zone, Mbithini Division, Makueni County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of free primary education the pupils academic performance among lower primary and Early Childhood Development and Education in Mulala zone, Mbitini Division, Makueni County. The research variables covered educational academic performance, pupils’ enrolment, teacher migration and transition from ECDE. The research used survey design to get data in Mulala zone. The target population in Mulala zone was twenty ECDE centers with approximate parent population of one thousand (1000) parents and 16 public primary schools with approximate parent population of four thousand( 4000 ) parents and two hundred and twelve(212) teachers . Sample size in this study was 100 parents randomly selected from four ECDE centers and four public primary schools and a sample of 50 teachers was selected from each of the four ECDE centres and four public primary schools. The significance of the study was to lay a firm foundation for further education, training, self reliance and world work. The researcher used simple random sampling technique in selecting the respondents. The researcher administered questionnaires to the respondents to source the data required for analysis. The researcher visited ECDE centres and primary school in Mulala zone at different times and explained the purpose of the study to parents and teachers. After obtaining permission from ZQASO the researcher explained to the respondents on how to fill in the questionnaires. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics which involved tabulation and determination of percentages of the respondents. This study was set to investigate the relationship between the Free Primary Education and enrollment to the ECDE centres and lower primary schools among the primary school pupils in Mbitini Division. It also tried to indentify the effect of transition from ECDE to lower primary school pupils in Mbitini Division. It also looked at the influence of ECDE teacher migration on academic performance after introduction of free primary education in Mbitini Division. In conclusion the research also tried to identify the influence of FPE on academic performance among primary pupils in Mulala zone, Mbitini Division, Makueni County.