Factors That Contribute To Low Enrollment In Public Primary Schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT The future of any nation in this world lies basically on how they treat its youngest citizens. Provision of basic primary education therefore goes a long way in determining our future and the future of other generations to come. Education therefore, is a prerequisite for national development and world prosperity. Kenya has made numerous strides in its quest in advancement of education to its citizens since independence. However, the Kenyan education system has been hurdled by numerous challenges in terms of service delivery, effectiveness and steadfastness through numerous challenges encountered in its implementation. This study therefore aimed at creating an understanding of the multifaceted nature of the factors affecting enrolment and retention in public primary schools in Kampi ya Moto Division, Rongai Sub County in Nakuru County. The study population comprised of all educational stakeholders in Kampi ya Moto Division including the teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils, parents, education and the duty bearers in the education administration in the area. Data for this research was generated through structured questionnaires and interview schedules and the respondents were the respective school heads, parents in these school and officers in the education department in both Sub county and divisional levels. All data generated for the study was analysed descriptively using tables, frequencies and percentages and later construed graphically through pie charts, bar and line graphs. The study found out that a combination of factors underwrote the low enrolment levels in public primary schools including socio economic factors, family background aspects, conditions in these schools and the surrounding environment. Family background factors accompanied by political dynamics were seen to have a big effect on enrolment in primary education. HIV/AIDS prevalence also presented a numerous number of reasons for low enrolment levels in Kampi ya Moto division a trend that can present itself in several other ways in the future. The government ought to ensure that there are eminent measures and strategies in place to avoid disparities in enrolment levels and ease implementation of the salient policy provisions in administration of public schools such as the auspicious free primary education programme which has numerous potential in transforming our nation into a stable middle-income economy