Factors Affecting Implementation of Free Day Secondary Education in Kitui- West and Matinyani Districts, Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore factors affecting implementation of Free Day Secondary Education in Kitui-West and Matinyani districts, Kitui County, Kenya. The study was guided by five research questions: What is the status of infrastructural facilities in day secondary schools of Kitui–West and Matinyani districts?; To what extent are the teaching and learning resources provided in day secondary schools in Kitui-West and Matinyani Districts?; What is the trend in enrolment levels in day secondary schools in the Kitui-West and Matinyani Districts?; What challenges face the implementation of free day secondary education in Kitui-West and Matinyani Districts?; What can be done to improve the implementation of Free Day Secondary Education in Kitui-West District and Matinyani?. The researcher used descriptive survey design from quantitative research paradigm as the main design, complemented by naturalistic research design from qualitative research paradigm, to study factors affecting the implementation of free day secondary education in Kitui-West and Matinyani districts of Kitui County. The study targeted all students, all teachers and all principals plus two DEOs in Kitui-West and Matinyani districts. The population of study was 31 schools in the districts where 292 participants took part. A sample of 10 schools, 10 head teachers, 40 teachers and 240 students plus 2 DEOs was included in the study. Sampling was done using stratified, systematic and simple random sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires on students and teachers, interview schedules were used to get information from principals and DEOs, as well as observation checklists to collect the required information from each school and from two DEOs. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Qualitative data was organized thematically after which the information was coded while descriptive statistics like frequencies, mean and percentages was used to present quantitative data. The findings of the study were that, there were inadequate infrastructural facilities such as electricity, classrooms, desks and chairs, toilets and playing fields for all students in day secondary schools, which seriously affected implementation of FDSE. The state of infrastructural facilities needed to be upgraded to an acceptable standard level. Free day schools were experiencing serious teacher shortage which made Boards of Governors hire BOG teachers to cushion the shortages and a big number of teachers hired in most day schools were not fully qualified which is likely to water down the quality of education given to the students. Computers are not yet in use as teaching and learning resources in most schools due to lack of electricity which has not yet reached the areas. Poverty is a major challenge threatening the implementation of the FDSE. The researcher recommended that, the government should employ more qualified teachers, schools need to be equipped with adequate facilities and state of those available urgently upgraded to an acceptable level to accommodate increasing numbers. The FDSE funds capitation per student should be doubled from the current ksh10, 625/-,be fully funded by the government and be disbursed in time before schools open every term for better running of the schools and to make it more beneficial to poor Kenyans. Parents and stakeholders should be more involved to address absenteeism and other indiscipline.