Problems in the management of community based early childhood programmes in Central division, Machakos District-Kenya

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the problems in the management of community based ECD centres in central division of Machakos District. The study targeted 13 pre-school institutions in the Central Division of Machakos District and 795 children. The sample also comprised 13 headteachers, 13 teachers and 1 District Programme Officer (DPO) in charge of DICECE. The pre-schools, DPO, the headteachers and teachers were purposively sampled while the pupils were randomly sampled. The tools developed for the study included questionnaires for the headteachers and teachers, an interview schedule for the DPO and an observation schedule. The latter instruments supplemented the data from questionnaires because sometime questionnaires tend to limit more information. The collected data was coded and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results were presented in tables of frequency distribution and percentages. Data analysis reveals that, the government has not recognized ECE as expected. It allocates meager funds towards the development of this sector. The management burden of pre-schools is left to parents who have faced problems of finance, human resources, material resources and physical facilities. The study recommends that the government should be more committed to supporting ECE by increasing government financial support; extension of ECE teachers' training programmes and employment of teachers and support staff. The government and other education stake holders should encourage more research into strategies, which can be implemented towards enhancing sound ECE development in Kenya.