Factors affecting enrollment in public primary schools: A case of gaturi location in Murang' a east Sub-county, Kenya.

Abstract

The central problem of this study is that although the government is providing direct grants to primary schools under free primary education F.P.E, some areas still experience decreasing enrolment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to enrolment in public primary schools in Gaturi location in Murang'a East sub-county. The objectives of this study were to establish pupils' enrolment in the period 2004-2011, to determine the social, economic and cultural factors, the school based factors and pupils'{eharacreristics and the state of physical facilities contributing to enrolment and to establish measures that could improve enrolment in the public primary schools in Gaturi location in Murang'a East sub-county. A descriptive survey design was used to collect data from 8 head teachers, 40 teachers and 160 pupils and key informants like the DEO and the parents. The study used questionnaires for head teachers, teachers and pupils. General interviews were conducted with the key informants. Observation of the facilities in the schools was carried out by the researcher. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequency counts and percentages and presented using tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data were analyzed by arranging responses according to the research questions and objectives. The study found that enrolment rates in public primary schools in Gaturi location in Murang' a East sub-county declined. The problem of enrolment affected boys more than girls. The most prominent causes of declining enrolment of pupils are poverty, transfer of pupils to private academies, poor performance, shortage of teachers, and alcohol abuse by parents reducing birth rates, negative attitude towards "educatiop, indiscipline and domestic conflicts. This shows that there are social-economic and cultural factors, based factors and pupil characteristics that pose a challenge to the FPE in this location which calls for attention of all stake holders. The government through the Ministry of Education should .increase funding per child through the FPE, provide more benefits to pupils in public primary schools and sensitize the community to enroll school age going children, both boys and girls, introduce school feeding programmes and employ more teachers. The community through the county administration should be educated on the dangers of local brews and the prescribed sects. Alternative source of income should be introduced in the area to reduce poverty school alumni should be used to as role models to give the student in these schools hope.