The impact of free primary education on the reaction of illiteracy:

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Date
2008-08
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College Of Open and Distance Learning
Abstract
The study aimed at investigating the abilities of primary learning in writing , reading and communication in regard of free primary education that was introduced in January 2003 ,a case study of Embakasi Division of Nairobi from 2003.. 2007. the study was carried out upon the background that , poverty, ignorance of parents, inadequate facilities in public schools have led to the persistence of illiteracy levels at 7~5% though the programme of FPE intended to have reduced them below that by 2008. The study was guided by objectives that included; investigating the influence of primary Educational learners, to find the advantages and disadvantages of free primary Education and to devise strategies upon which FPE may achieve its intended goals. The study design was based on sample survey and cross sectional studies that gathered primary and secondary data. Primary data were sought through qualitative and quantitative designs where qualitative design involved; interview; observation, and focus Group Discussion methods of data collection. Quantitative data were sought through questionnaires. Secondary data were sought through documentary review and internet surfing. Five schools were purposively selected for the study and they included; Kayole, Baraka Umoja, Unity and Embakasi Primary Schools. From these five schools a sample size of 140 respondents was derived that included; Learners, parents, guardians and Education Administrative officers. The study established that FPE influences Learners in such ways; learners develop communication skills, people were more attracted to school, better management of business by the learners, learners travel long distance to and from schools, there is enrollment of elderly learners and learners performance lowered I some schools. The study further established that FPE is advantageous in that; more teachers were employed; government policies are now better disseminated than before. Increase in international funding and increase in the school enrollments. However FPE is disadvantageous In that; teachers are less committed due to little welfare services to thotivate them , public schools are less facilitated as compared to their enrollments , public schools are few thus learners move for long distances which makes them tired among other challenges. This has accounted for the persistence of high illiteracy levels among the people though they have reduced. The study suggested that; there should be enrollment of more competent teachers, provision of necessities in schools, construction of more public schools and rehabilitation of the existing ones more finding should be sought from international funders such as World Bank and international Monetary Fund, parents should facilitate their children, government should emphasizes on poverty eradication strategies and existing teachers should begin on the job training. The study therefore concluded that if FPE is to attain its intended goals, where illiteracy was focused on in this study; there should be employment of competitive teacher’s facilitation of schools, mobilization of parents to cater for some scholastic needs of their children and mass mobilization of the people. This is because the five schools of study were found to be poorly facilitated, had some incompetent teachers, learners travel long distances to and from school, moreover on foot among other challenges. These have led to the high school dropout, absenteeism of learner thus the persistence of illiteracy since learners hardly concentrate in classes. There are inadequate teaching and learning facilities in Embakasi Division primary schools. Respondents from Baraka primary school reported they have few desks and teachers lack teaching facilities at times such as chalk and text books. Unity primary school lacks a good library for learners .This resulted from the improper planning. Some learners fail to complete standard 8 thus fail to achieve their intended goals. There is uneven distribution of public schools. Respondents noted the children from Kayole village walk far over 5 kilometers daily to attend schools because they what to study for free of charge .this makes learners exhausted by the time they reach school thus do not concentrate well on studies. This accounts for poor performance of some learners.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the Institute of Distance Open Learning in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Bachelor of Education Science of Kampala International University
Keywords
Primary education, Illiteracy, Embakasi division, Nairobi Kenya
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