The inception of Free Primary Education (FPE) by the government of Kenya made a major boost to the education sector. Since then, the number of students enrolling for primary school education has been increasing significantly.

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The government through the Ministry of Education has been playing a major role in the sector by increasing the budget allocation and making relevant policies to aid in the efficient provision of FPE.

However, focus groups with parents have continuously reported dissatisfaction with government schools, and satisfaction with private schools due to many challenges the initiative is facing. The biggest challenge free primary education is facing is poor performance.

Here are the reasons for poor performance in public primary schools;

Inadequate learning facilities

Public primary schools are usually characterized by misappropriation of funds. Textbooks are shared amongst more than two students. Classrooms are normally in poor conditions. These contribute to poor performance.

Congestion

The ratio between students and teachers is very high. A single teacher can handle up to over seventy students in a classroom and hence unable to attend to each student.

High levels of absenteeism

Class attendance is always and a student can miss classes for a whole week. Teacher absenteeism is also common. It denies students the much need teacher-student contact time, the time spent by teachers in interacting with students, contributing hugely to student performance.

Unfavorable learning environment

Roads leading to many public schools are in poor conditions. Classrooms can be small and not completed during construction some of them lacking doors and windows. There are not enough toilets, boys and girls share, and some even go to the bush.

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