Strategies Employed by Schools to Cope with Challenges of Free Primary Education in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya
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Date
2019-05
Authors
Muriuki, Judith Wanyaga
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study examined the strategies that the head teachers use to cope with challenges
of Free Primary Education in Mbeere South Sub County of Embu County, Kenya.
The objectives of the study were, (a) To find out the challenges facing the stake
holders, in implementing Free Primary Education (b) To find out the coping
mechanisms that the stake holders use in dealing with challenges ofF.P.E(c) To find
out the extent to which the given challenges are affecting the implementation of
Free Primary Education (d) To find out the opinions of head teachers, parents,
teachers and curriculum support officer(CSO)on how the challenges affecting Free
Primary Education can be addressed. The study was guided by the theory of demand
and supply advanced by Hicks (1986).The study employed descriptive research
design. The target population comprised of 117 public primary schools offering free
primary education, 117 head teachers, 936 teachers, 351 parents' representatives and
one curriculum support officer. A study sample of 12 schools was selected (which is
10% of the total number of schools), 96 teachers, 36 parents, and one curriculum
support officer. The researcher used random sampling to select the schools and
purposive sampling to select the head teachers, parents, teachers and curriculum
support officer. Interview (face to face) for the parents and questionnaires for the
head teachers, teachers and curriculum support officer were the main means of data
collection. Validity of the data was attained through expert advice from the
supervisor. A test retest was done on reliability and gave a 0.951 indication that the
instrument was reliable for the study. Data from the questionnaire was edited, coded
and analyzed with the aid of statistical package for social science (SPSS) to generate
descriptive statistics. The data from the questionnaires and interview were analyzed
through frequencies and percentages. The data was presented through tables and pie
charts. The researcher got a research permit from National Council for Science and
Technology (NACOSTI) and from District Education Officer and then proceeded
for data collection. The study found that, there are a number of challenges facing
F.P.E that included poor/inadequate infrastructure, inadequate teachers and
I' unreliable/ delayed funding from the government. The study established a number of
coping mechanism that included; hiring of teachers (trained/untrained), automatic
progression of overage pupils, parents constructing more classes (permanent/semipermanent),
funding school projects, buying books and helping in construction of
toilets. The researcher recommends that the head teachers should source funds from
well-wishers like members of parliament and also teachers should participate in
forums for F.P.E challenges eradication. Parents should be willing to do communal
activities and give donations when needed; the researcher urges the government to
invest more on F.P.E. The study concluded that the head teachers in collaboration
with other stakeholders in education should work together to eradicate F.P.E
problems.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters Education in the School of Education, Kenyatta University, May, 2019
Keywords
Free Primary Education, Kenya