Examination of the Influence of Equity on the Implementation of Child Friendly School Program in Public Primary Schools in Laikipia East Sub-County, Laikipia County, Kenya

A child friendly school is one that recognizes and nurtures the achievements of children’s basic rights. The purpose of a Child Friendly School program is to move schools and education systems progressively towards quality standards, addressing all elements that influence the well-being and rights of the child as a learner and the main beneficiary of teaching, while improving other school functions in the process. Child friendly school programme was rolled out on national scale in 2011. Since its inception not much effect has been realized on its implementation. This study therefore sought to examine the influence of equity on the implementation of child friendly school program in public primary schools in Laikipia East Sub-County, Laikipia County, Kenya. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to realize this objective. Descriptive survey design was adopted in conducting this study. The study targeted a total population of 6400 from public primary schools in Laikipia East Sub County of which a sample size of 361 was selected using multistage sampling techniques. The main tools for collecting data in this research were questionnaire with open-ended and close-ended items. The researcher sought expert opinion of the specifically with regard to content validity of the instruments. Data collected was standardized using various control measures, including checking for completeness and consistency before the data entry process. Data was analyzed by use of SPSS (Statistic Package for Social Sciences) computer software version 22.0. Thereafter, the data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages. The inferential statistics was Pearson product moment correlation. The results of the data were presented in form of tables. The study findings revealed that; implementation of child friendly school program was strongly and positively correlated with equity at a coefficient of 0.571, school feeding program by a coefficient of 0.682 and inclusive classroom by a coefficient of 0.811, no equity in resources among most schools (48%), punishment for indiscipline pupils was however done fairly according to the rules and regulation (60%), all pupils sit for the same examinations and marked fairly (76%). most schools do not have adequate food feeding program for pupils with special needs and most schools neither have enough teachers trained to handle inclusive education nor adequate teaching resources and learning resources for special needs education (67%). The study recommends that School head teachers should collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote equity in school provisions and governance. Schools should also put emphasis on the training and development of its human resources on inclusive education. The study recommends further studies on the influence of trade unions such as KNUT and KUPPET in the implementation of child friendly school programme in public primary schools.