ABSTRACT
This paper gives the results of a survey and evaluation of the Free Primary Education
(FPE) program in Kenya. The FPE program started in January 2003 when a new
government came to power after a general election. This was a fulfillment of one of
the government's election promises.
The FPE program is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology (MO EST) through Direct Support System. This is a system whereby the
government, through the ministry gives direct financial support to primary schools
through a block grant. The grant is based on pupil numbers (enrollment). Each pupil
is allocated the same amount of funds per year. The allocation per pupil is then
supposed to be spent on various learning materials based on guidelines spelt out by
the ministry.
The survey findings indicate that in overall, the FPE program has been well received,
and has generally met the overall objective of increasing pupil enrollment rates.
However, its implementation has run into various challenges over the last three years.
These challenges include:
shortage of teachers and classrooms
inadequacy of the funds
general lack of management skills by the head teachers to administer the
program effectively
a general decrease in education standards due to a combination of the
above and other factors, especially shortage of teachers.
In addition, economic conditions, and especially pove11y, are working against the
program. This is because poor parents can still not afford to send their children to
school due to the lack of other resources such as food and uniforms.
LINAH, R (2021). Block Mechanism And Pupils Academic Performance In Schools: Case Study Of Kitumui Primary/Secondary School. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/block-mechanism-and-pupils-academic-performance-in-schools-case-study-of-kitumui-primary-secondary-school
LINAH, ROTICH "Block Mechanism And Pupils Academic Performance In Schools: Case Study Of Kitumui Primary/Secondary School" Afribary. Afribary, 12 Jun. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/block-mechanism-and-pupils-academic-performance-in-schools-case-study-of-kitumui-primary-secondary-school. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
LINAH, ROTICH . "Block Mechanism And Pupils Academic Performance In Schools: Case Study Of Kitumui Primary/Secondary School". Afribary, Afribary, 12 Jun. 2021. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/block-mechanism-and-pupils-academic-performance-in-schools-case-study-of-kitumui-primary-secondary-school >.
LINAH, ROTICH . "Block Mechanism And Pupils Academic Performance In Schools: Case Study Of Kitumui Primary/Secondary School" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/block-mechanism-and-pupils-academic-performance-in-schools-case-study-of-kitumui-primary-secondary-school