Abstract:
This study sought to find out the factors that
influence the implementation of free secondary
education (FSE) in Kenya. Implementation refers
to a situation where the programme is made to
work and meets its major objectives of increasing
enrolment and retention in secondary schools.
The background of this study traces the efforts to
provide free secondary education. The provision
of free secondary education is very important in
Kenya given that the country is a low income one.
Also given the limited studies on the programme
currently, this study sought to reduce that gap. The
purpose of this study was to find out factors
influencing the implementation of free secondary
education in Kenya. The study had five objectives
derived from the said purpose. The objectives
include finding the influence of the management
capacity of principals and B.O.Gs, time when the
funds are received, parental support and socio-
economic factors on the implementation of free
secondary education in Kenya. The study was
carried out in Mumias district of Western
province. The study is based on the theory of
constraints as the researcher examines the
factors constraining the achievement of FSE
objectives. It is hoped the results of the study will
be useful to many stakeholders and help in the
streamlining of free secondary education.
The researcher experienced problems such as
limited finances and time for carrying out the
study more thoroughly. Literature review was
done on the implementation of free secondary
education around the world. The study used the
survey design and data collection was by use of
the questionnaire method. The questionnaire was
validated through piloting. Schools were put into
clusters from which a sample was collected using
simple random sampling. Data from the field was
analyzed using fundamental statistical measures
such as location and dispersion. The findings of
the study show that the management capacity of
the principals, time of funds disbursement to
schools and parental support have a negative
influence on the implementation of FSE. The
B.O.Gs have a positive influence while socio-
economic factors have both negative and positive
influence.. Some of the conclusions are that the
government needs to speed up sending of money
to the schools and probably increase the funding.
The study recommends among others that the
principals be subjected to compulsory training in
management and that the ministry should
increase the frequency of school inspection.
