The Impact of Free Primary Education Policy on Human Capital Development in Kenya: Wins and Losses

Samuel Ngigi, John Njoka, Paul Kamau, Martine Oleche and Moses Muriithi

Working Papers from African Economic Research Consortium

Abstract: This report is based on a case study of human capital development in Africa, focusing on Free Primary Education (FPE) policy in Kenya passed in 2003. We address the policy contribution of Free Primary Education to human capital development in Kenya. The paper analyses and documents the wins and losses of the policy with regard to educational outcomes of enrolment, completion and transition from primary to secondary level education. The report uses the systems approach and mainly desk review of World Bank 30-year series data between 1989 and 2020. The results show that the FPE policy, albeit passed through a political declaration and manifesto devoid of much analysis at the time, made useful contributions to the three outcomes of enrolment, completion and transition. However, there were misses in learner achievement, gender and regional disparities. In addition, investments in reducing the teacher-pupil ratio made marginal sense. Drawing from these results, we recommend that human capital development policies in Africa be done in a more consultative way, whereby policy makers and technocrats discuss different scenarios before implementation. There is also a need to pay more attention to the quality of education offered beyond access and enrolment.

Date: 2024-08-05
Note: African Economic Research Consortium
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