| dc.description.abstract | It is a fundamental human right to access education – particularly basic education. Therefore, at the international level, there is the recognized need to ensure basic education for all hence provision for it in the International Convention of Human Rights. At national level, The Kenyan Constitution (2010) guarantees free and compulsory basic education for all children. The Basic Education Act (2013) provides free basic education and explicitly prohibits school fees. However, following the success of free basic education, general access issues have not received much attention. The goal of this research was to examine the impact of free and compulsory primary education (FCBE) on student access and participation in public schools in Kitutu Central Sub-County, Kenya. The aims of this study was to assess the scope of provision of facilities, resources and teaching materials within free compulsory primary education, to assess the impact of free and compulsory primary education on admission and retention in public primary schools and to assess the attendance of students as part of free and compulsory basic education The study was conducted in line with the theory of demand and supply based on the costs (prices) of primary school education. The study also employed a conceptual framework. The study employed a descriptive questionnaire/survey research design. The target population consisted of 40 primary schools in Kitutu Central Sub-County, 4 of which were used in the pilot study. The sample size for the study included 36 school principals, 36 parents composed of the heads of the Association of Parent Schools, 2 (CSOs) and 1 sub-regional principal (SCDE). CSO and SCDE teachers were easily selected and stratified randomization was used to obtain a selection framework of the chairpersons. Data collection tools included questionnaires, interview schedules, and group discussions. Reliability was increased by piloting the instruments in the four schools by re-testing. The validity of the tools was addressed by professional vetting. Quantitative data analysis was done by employing descriptive data while qualitative data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that FCBE is compromised by the introduction of extra levies charged for internal examinations, extra tuition, and employment of extra teachers, uniforms, lunch, and school infrastructure. In addition, participation is negatively affected by limited facilities and resources that reduce the accessibility to primary schools. Free education has led to increased enrollments in both gender, however this has caused the existing facilities and resources to be strained. The correlation coefficient R=0.683* between the extent to which FCBE has been implemented and enrollment trends is strongly positive. Correlation analysis between the extent of free education and retention of pupils is strongly positive with co-efficient R=0.767*.Attendance of pupils is low due to lack of academic requirements, lack of lunch program, health issues, household chores, distance to school, orphan status, peer influence and lack of interest in education by both learners and parents. It was concluded from the study that FCBE enhanced pupils’ access to education and enrolment but failed retention of pupils in public primary schools for both gender. The study recommended involvement of local leaders in sensitizing parents on importance of sending their children to school, government to redefine the role of multiple stakeholders in education, increase allocations and efficiency in the utilization of funds as well broaden the scope of FCBE beyond tuition and infrastructural materials to ease the burden on parents. Further studies need to be carried on influence of parents and community leaders in implementation of FCBE in other areas in Kenya. | en_US |