Factors Affecting The Enrollment Of Primary School Pupils In The Era Of Free Primary Education System: A Case Of Kilifi County

Abstract

This research set to study why most children in Kilifi County are not enrolled in school and the education is free, by looking at the factors that affect and influence enrolment, attendance and retention. The study sought to answer the following questions; What are the trends in enrolment, retention and attendance in Kilifi County since 2002? What factors affect enrolment, attendance, retention of pupils in primary schools in Kilifi County? What opinions do the parents/caregivers in Kilifi County have on the factors affecting enrolment, attendance and retention? The study was a survey research guided by Human capital theory and Robert Merton’s goal means gap theory. The Target population of the study comprised of all school age children who are in school and those not in schools, the teachers in the schools, Parents and education officials. A total of 4 schools were purposively selected comprising of 2 schools located in the urban areas and two schools located in the rural areas. The Class 8 and 5 students were purposively selected to participate in the study. A sample of class teachers of the respective classes was also selected. The head teachers for the respective schools were also selected to be interviewed. Purposive sampling was also used to select 2 education officials to participate in the research these officials were the District education officer and the Zonal education officer. Snowballing technique was used to get parents whose children are not in schools and the children themselves. Proportionate random sampling was used to select 125 pupils from the selected schools. Proportionate random sampling was also used to select the number of students per class and the gender distribution. Structured interviews were used to collect data from the respondents. Key informant guides were used to collect data from the key informants. The study established that the schools still charge other levies apart from the school fees and these levies are charged to the parents. From the interviews with the respondents it was established that the main factor affecting education in Kilifi County even with the introduction of FPE is the inability of the parents to afford the levies charged by the schools. This inability was confirmed by the respondents to be as a result of Poverty in the area. The study also found out that factors like truancy, deviancy, lack of knowledge on importance of education and lack of monitoring are also major factors affecting education. From the research findings it was concluded that the parents were not involved in the implementation of FPE in schools to a large extent. It was also concluded that the community hasn’t internalized the importance of education. Recommendations were made to look into the levies charged and the sensitization on importance of education to the community.