ABSTRACT The study was to investigate problems faced by primary school head teachers in implementation of free primary school for all in Mwea educational zone in Kirinyaga district, Kenya. The researcher used questiom1aires to collect information from the respondent. The respondents were head teachers/ teachers in the zone selected from some schools in the zone. The method used to select the schools was convenience sampling. The researcher reviewed much of the literature from respondents. The researcher found that most teachers in the primary schools in the zone find it difficult to implement free primary education for all due to a number of factors:- • Lack of training in school management • Over burdening of teachers due to overwhelming enrolment. • Interferences caused by external forces • Lack of guidance and counseling to parents/ pupils. The researcher recommends that there should be refresher courses on guidance and counseling for all members of the society. The head teachers should be trained on management by the ministry of education. The provincial administration should education the community in supporting learning institution rather politicking.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ v

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. ix

CHAPTER ONE .............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Statement of problen1 ................................................................................................................. l

1.3 Purpose of Study ........................................................................................................................ 1

1.4 Specific Objectives .................................................................................................................... 1

1.5 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................... 2

CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................. 3

LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................ 3

2.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 DEFINITION OF CHALLENGES FACING HEAD TEACHERS ......................................... .4

2.4 POVERTY ................................................................................................................................. 4

2.5 Homeless Fan1ilies: .................................................................................................................... 6

2.6 Inclusive Education ................................................................................................................... 6

CHAPTER THREE ......................................................................................................................... 8

METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 8

3 .1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 8

3.2 Research Design ........................................................................................................................ 8

3.3 Population and Environment ..................................................................................................... 8

3.4 Sampling .................................................................................................................................... 8

3.5 Sampling Procedure ................................................................................................................... 9

3.6 Data Collection Procedure ......................................................................................................... 9

3.7 Instruments/ Tools Used .......................................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................................... 11

DATA PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS .................................................... .11

4.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 11

4.2 Profile of the respondents ........................................................................................................ 11

4.3 Response to the questionnaires ................................................................................................ 11

V

CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................... 26

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......................... 26

5.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 26

5.2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND THEIR RELEVANCE ................................................... .26

5.5 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................ 27

5.6 RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................................................... 27

5.7 AREAS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ................................................................................. .27

REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 28

APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................ 29

TRANSMITTAL LETTER ........................................................................................................... 29

QUESTIONNAIRE TO PUPILS .................................................................................................. 30

APPENDIX B ................................................................................................................................ 34

INTERVIEW GUIDES FOR THE /TEACHERS ......................................................................... 34

APPENDIX C ................................................................................................................................ 36

TIME FRAME ............................................................................................................................... 36

APPENDIX D ................................................................................................................................ 37

BUDGET ....................................................................................................................................... 37

RESEARCH AREA ....................................................................................................................... 38