ABSTRACT Recent research statistics has shown that the fi·ee primary education introduced in the year 2003 had lead to a large influx of pupils into primary schools. Kenyans cannot afford to complacent about it, thus their arises an immediate need to conduct an investigation on the issue of academic performance on the influx of pupils. The study adopted a Descriptive research design. This enhanced the researcher to obtain a better understanding of the impact of free primary education on academic performance of pupils. The method chosen allowed a collection of comprehensive and intensive data and provided an in-depth understanding of the topic under study. Information collected was analyzed and edited to create consistency and completeness. After collecting the questionnaires they were edited for completeness and consistency across the respondents and to locate omissions. Information obtained from the research study was presented and analyzed using bar charts, nan·atives, and statistical figures. This report provides suggestions for more effective practice in the field of fi·ee primary education and measures based on the lessons learned from practical experience of the programme. It is designed for policy makers, planners and stakeholders who have responsibilities in the education sector in the country. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ I 

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................. II 

DEDICATION ............................................................................................................. III 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... IV 

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. V 

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................... vii 

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. VIII 

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

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ........................................................................ ! 

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ....................................................................... 3 

1.3.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................ 4 

1.3.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE ..................................................................................... 4 

1.3.2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES .................................................................................... 4 

1.3.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 4 

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ........................................................................ 4 

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................ 5 

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................... 6 

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ..................................................................... 6 

CHAPTER THREE; .................................................................................................... 14 

METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 14 

3.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 14 

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN ........................................................................................... l4 

3.2 POPULATION OF THE STUDY ......................................................................... l4 

3.3 STUDY SAMPLE AND SELECTION TECHNIQUE ......................................... l4 

3.4 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS ............................................................................. 14 

3.5 RESEARCH PROCEDURE .................................................................................. l5 

3.6 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ................................................... l5 

3.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ........................................................................ 15 

CHAPTER FOUR; ...................................................................................................... 16 

DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION ............................................................. 16 

4.1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 16 

4.1.1 Data analysis and processing .............................................................................. 16 

CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................... 25 

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........ 25 

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 25 

5.1 Summary of findings and Discussions .................................................................. 25 

5.2 Conclusions ............................................................................................................ 26 

5.3 Recommendations .................................................................................................. 27 

REFERENCE .................................................................................... 29 

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................. 30 

v 

APPENDIX I ............................................................................................................... 30 

APPENDIX II .............................................................................................................. 33 

APPENDIX III.. ........................................................................................................... 36