Free primary education in public schools: implications for private primary schools in Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

This paper presents findings of a study on the effects of free primary education programme on private primary education in Nairobi and the measures put in place by private primary schools to address these effects. The free primary education programme was implemented by the Kenya government in January 2003.

The study tests for statistical significance of the differences between the means of various indicators in 2002 and 2003. The study shows that the total number of pupil enrolments, the number of new pupils enrolled in school and the number of pupil transfers to public primary schools are statistically significant. This shows a negative effect on private primary education. However, the annual school fee per child, total revenue of school , total cost of school equipment and materials, total number of teachers, number of teachers recruited, number of teachers sacked and teachers' average salaries are not statistically significant. This shows that the indicators have not been significantly affected by the free primary education programme.

This study notes that it’s too early to make conclusive remarks on the implications of FPE programme for private primary education because of the short time span the programme has been in existence. Nonetheless, the study concludes that pupil enrolments in private primary schools have been negatively affected and private primary schools have put in place various measures such as increased teacher inputs, provision of free tuition and reduction of school expenditures in order to address these effects.