Assessing the Factors Influencing the Implementation of the Free Education Policy in Bugesera District, Rwanda

Abstract

The study focused on assessing the factors influencing the implementation of the free education policy, either for its success or failure in Bugesera District, Rwanda. Therefore, this study evaluated factors affecting the implementation of free education with a particular focus on the Bugesera District, both daily and boarding schools. However, in order to engage the research questions and address them, the study adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, where mixed methods were used, to design the study. The purpose of sampling was used as a way to find samples from the particular participants of the study. Interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis were used as tools to collect data, and mixed methods were employed to analyze the data gathered. Therefore, the study found that there are different actors involved in the implementation of free education, such as parents, the district, district education officers, and local authorities. Some of them are not fully participating in the implementation of the free education policy as a result of various factors. The study also found that while many legal and regulatory frameworks and strategies govern the implementation of free education policy, there are several factors that affect this implementation, which cannot be blamed on these frameworks. It was also found that some factors affect the successful implementation of free education, such as government limited funds/ low budget particular for education, socio-economic, financial resources, socio-culture and geographical and the lack of Public-Private Partnership and NGOs, low income of parents which is not allowed them to afford the associated school costs and necessities a well as the lack of schools infrastructures which is limiting schools to accommodate and enroll more students. Therefore, to address these challenges and limitations that slow down the success of the implementation of free education in Bugesera District. Therefore, the study recommended that the government, especially the district education office, should engage the public-private partnership to get funds to sponsor the schools. Furthermore, the study recommended that the local authorities should educate the parents about free education and bring awareness to them so that they can play their part in implementing and successful the free education. The study also recommends that the government should set mechanisms and strategies to increase education.