Challenges in the implementation and provision of quality free primary education in public primary schools in Nyimba district.

The purpose of this study was to explore challenges in the implementation and provision of quality free primary education in public primary schools in Nyimba District. The study objectives were to explore the challenges encountered by school managers in implementing FPE policy, to solicit proposals on how the challenges faced have affected education delivery, to identify the strategies employed by the school managers in an attempt to achieve quality education following the implementation of FPE. The study employed a qualitative approach and employed a descriptive survey design and data was collected using interviews, focus group discussion and observation method. The sample of the study was six Head teachers, eight two policy makers, fifteen teachers and fifteen pupils. The sample size of thirty eight (38) was drawn from the total population. The study found out that with the implantation of the free primary education policy, access to primary education had increased tremendously. However, This consistent increase in enrolment of pupils without increase in number of teachers, instructional materials as well as school infrastructure has paused a challenge to quality of education by undermining some quality benchmarks such as; ideal pupil teacher ratio, pupil classroom ratio, pupil textbook ratio and pupil toilet ratio among others. Based on these findings, the study recommends the need for the government to allocate additional funding to employ more teachers, to reduce pupil teacher ratio, improve on schools infrastructure such as classrooms so as to create conducive learning environment and avail more instructional materials among others.