A Process Evaluation of Free Primary Education: A Critical Analysis of Kenya’s Experiences

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to make an  assessment of free primary education policy in Kenya based on six identified indicators. Numerical data extracted from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and other prominent world websites was compared with the six indicators.  The introduction of free primary education promoted universal primary education and access of education in a positive way. The findings of the study  concluded that, the literacy for adults in Kenya has been on the decrease since the introduction of free primary education in 2003. One would have expected the literacy rate to improve, Kenya was trailing Tanzania and Uganda on literacy rates. The enrolment of primary school students has been on increase since the adoption of free primary education in 2003. Despite the free funding of education, dropout rate was on recorded because of the hidden costs charged by the primary schools. Kenya was also observed to be doing well in terms of teacher to pupil ratio at primary level and is ahead of South Africa. The government of Kenya was advised to accept the notion that what is referred to as  free primary education by the government  was practically not  free primary education This will help the government  to revise and adjust free education policy in an objective manner.