PRINCIPALS' PERCEPTION OF CHALLENGES UNDERMINING EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION IN LIKUYANI SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Free Secondary Education (FSE) in Kenya was introduced in 2018 with an aim of enhancing access to secondary education in the country. This initiative however, has experienced challenges related to funding, infrastructure in schools and staffing shortages. In this regard, the study sought to examine principals’ perception of the challenges with a view to determining the extent to which the challenges could be undermining effective implementation of the programme in Likuyani sub-county. The study used ex-post facto research design. Data was collected by use of a personally delivered questionnaire from 52 principals who were randomly selected from a total population of 60 principals in the study area. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) programme version 20. Nominal scale data was analysed using frequency counts and percentages while ordinal scale data was analysed using t-test and ANOVA statistics. Gender of the principal had no statistically significant influence on principals’ perception of the challenges undermining FSE implementation. However, years of experience had a statistically significant influence on the rating of FSE implementation challenges. The study has proffered a number of recommendation on ways in which implementation of FSE can be enhanced in the study area and by implicating other parts of the country