Thesis:

An investigation of the impact of free primary education on early childhood enrollment in Amu Division, Lamu county Shumi

Early Childhood Development education in particular is critical in every country for a number of reasons. To start with, it is central to development because it provides basic insights, skills and competencies that are needed for future intellectual growth necessary for national development. The main purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of FPE on ECD enrolment in Kisiwani zone, Amu division, Lamu County. The specific objectives were to: determine how financial factors, environmental factors and teacher’s factors impact on Early Childhood Development in Kisiwani zone, Amu division, Lamu County. The study used descriptive research design. This enabled the researcher to investigate the impact of Free Primary Education on Early Childhood Development enrolment in Kisiwani zone Amu division Lamu County. The study was carried out in Kisiwani zone, Amu division in Lamu County. The zone has a total of 34 ECD head teachers, 99 teachers and 1109 ECD parents. Random sampling was used to select a sample of 10 head teachers, 30 teachers and 333 ECD parents from the population. The researcher used random sampling to select ten ECD centres, five from public and five from private. The study made use of both open ended and closed ended questionnaire and interview guide. The researcher used descriptive statistics to analyze the data. Data in the questioners were coded and entered in SPSS version 21 software for analysis. It was later analyzed and presented in charts and tables. The study found that ECD classes were not optimally enrolled. ECD enrolment had been affected by Free Primary Education. The study found that there were no enough classrooms in the ECD centre. ECD teachers were paid inadequate salary/wages. The study found that ECD classes were not optimally enrolled. ECD enrolment had been affected by Free Primary Education. The study revealed that ECD enrolment had been affected by Free Primary Education negatively. The study concluded that there were inadequate learning facilities in the ECD centres. The teachers were not enough. In service training was not offered to teachers. The government had neglected the ECD sub-sector. Parents did not understand the importance of ECD education. The study revealed that ECD teachers were had no qualifications to handle the children. ECD teachers lacked motivation. The study recommends the head teachers in primary schools to strictly admit children with ECD education to class one. Each primary school should be supported to have its own ECD centre. Ministry of education should continuously provide in service trainings and workshops to the ECD teachers. The study recommends the government to improve the infrastructure of the ECD centres. The study recommends the government to hire and pay the ECD teachers. Teachers who are qualified and trained should be the ones employed.