Influence of Free Education Policy on Quality Education in Day Public Secondary Schools in Huye District, Rwanda

Authors

  • Christine Nyirandikubwimana, (Sr.) The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
  • Dr. Rose Wambui Njihia, PhD. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
  • Dr. Shem Mwalw'a, PhD. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Abstract

The introduction of free education policy in Rwanda allowed more pupils to have access on basic education at a very low cost. As a result, there was an increased students enrolment which has greatly influenced the quality of education. This study examined the influence of free education policy on quality of education in day public secondary schools in Huye District, Rwanda. Five research questions guided this study. These are; to what extent does free education policy affect quality education in Huye District? What are the socio-economic factors affecting quality education in Huye District? What are the challenges the government faces in providing quality education? What government mechanisms exist which promote quality education in Huye district? What strategies can be employed to improve quality education in Huye district? The problem under study employed Total Quality Management (TQM) Theory of Walter Shewart. The study employed mixed method approach specifically concurrent parallel method. The target population was all the teachers, all the head teachers and all the District Education Officer in Huye District. Head Teachers and District Education Officers were purposively sampled while proportionate random sampling was used to select teachers. Data was collected from 110 participants. Four research instruments were used; these are questionnaire for teachers, interview guides for Head Teachers and District Education Officers, document analysis guide and observation guide. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in figures and tables, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Qualitative data were analyzed by the use of content analysis technique whereby findings were presented in narrative forms, quoting some answers from the respondents. With regard to ethics, participants’ consent was sought and confidentiality of their identity and answers were guaranteed. The study revealed that FEP resulted in large classes of more than 50 students per class which adversely affected teaching and learning processes. The number of classroom and books were still few to allow quality education while laboratories and playgrounds were lacking. School funds for feeding, facilities, teachers motivation and parents participation required more improvements. The study recommended that the government should increase resources and train teachers on the methods of teaching competence-based curriculum. It should also safeguard the stability of education system in Rwanda. Parents and community at large should actively participate in education of their children. For quality education provision and control, primary and secondary levels should have different head teachers. This would help to provide head teachers with more time for supervising teaching and others school activities.

Keywords: Free Education Policy, Socio-Economic Factors, Challenges, Government Mechanisms, Strategies, Quality Education, Huye District

Author Biographies

Christine Nyirandikubwimana, (Sr.), The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Postgraduate Student

Dr. Rose Wambui Njihia, PhD., The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Lecturer

Dr. Shem Mwalw'a, PhD., The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Lecturer

References

Adede, K.O. (2016). Impact of school infrastructure on the provision of quality education in public secondary schools of Nyakach district, Kenya. Nairobi: CEES University of Nairobi.

Adom, D., Kamil, E.H. & Agyem, J.A. (2018). Theoretical and conceptual framework: Mandatory ingredients of a quality research. Kumasi: KNUST.

Bentaouet, R.K. (2006). Implementation of free basic education policy. Washington: The World Bank.

Ghati, C.Y. (2013). The challenges of primary education level in Tarime district, Tanzania. Nanjing: Nanjing University.

Ministry of Education (2018). 2017 Education Statistics. Kigali: Republic of Rwanda.

Mobela, C. (2015). Impact of free primary education on quality education in Kabwe district, Zambia. Information and Communication University.

Namara, F. (2012). Factors affecting the provision of quality basic education in Nyagatare district, Rwanda. Nairobi: Nairobi University.

Ndabaga, E. & Tabaro, C. (2015). The rationale behind mother tongue policy in the Rwandan Competency-Based school curriculum. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 5(1), 139-148.

Ndabaga, E. & Tabaro, C. (2015). The rationale behind mother tongue policy in the Rwandan Competency-Based school curriculum. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 5(1), 139-148.

Ndemba, M. (2014). Influence of school infrastructure on students performance in public secondary schools in Kajiado County, Kenya. Nairobi: Nairobi University.

Njihia,M. & Nderitu, J.K. (2014). The use and usefulness of school grants. UNESCO: International Institute for Educational Planning.

Nkurunziza, J. (2015). Free education in Rwanda as one step towards reducing inequalities. Butare: University of Rwanda.

Nzabalirwa, W. (2015). Education quality in Rwanda: factors of success, challenges and future prospects. Kigali.

Rukabu, A,B. (2015). Reversing privatization of education: A case study of Rwanda. Kigali: Advocacy Works Action.

Safari, J.P. (2016). Institutional causes of school dropouts in Rwanda: Perspectives of community education workers. Bartos: Institute for constructive engagement

Salifu, I. (2012). Impact of discipline issues on school effectiveness: Views of some Ghanaian principals. University of Ghana.

Turkkahraman, M. (2012). The role of education in the social development. Antalya: Akdeniz University.

Westcott, R. (2013). The certified manager of quality/organizational excellence.

London: Quality Management Division.

Williams, T. P. (2016). Oriented towards action: the political economy of primary education in Rwanda. Manchester: The University of Manchester.

Downloads

Published

2019-07-16

How to Cite

Nyirandikubwimana, C., Njihia, D. R. W., & Mwalw’a, D. S. (2019). Influence of Free Education Policy on Quality Education in Day Public Secondary Schools in Huye District, Rwanda. Journal of Education, 2(2), 29–51. Retrieved from https://stratfordjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-education/article/view/311

Issue

Section

Articles