The Challenges of Free Primary Education Implementation in Primary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

In January 2003 the Kenyan government implemented Free Primary Education (FPE). The launch of the programme saw an increase in enrolment in primary schools which put pressure on learning resources. The FPE policy envisaged that the government would provide teaching and learning materials to all public primary schools. This paper therefore discusses challenges of implementing FPE in Bungoma East District in Kenya. A descriptive survey design was used in this study. The target population was head teachers, teachers, the school management committee chair persons and the students. Since there are rural and urban schools, stratified sampling was done to get a more representative sample. Instruments for data collection were questionnaires, interview schedule, and document analysis and observation schedules. The study found that upward trend in enrolment since the inception of FPE in 2003 led to overcrowding in class and many more schools opening up. It also found that there was lack of enough teachers to handle the increased numbers of pupils. It was also established that delayed release of FPE funds led to challenges in the FPE appropriate implementation.  The findings will inform the policy makers to make more informed decisions towards implementation of the free primary education in order to achieve Universal Education.