Demographic Factors Influencing Parents’ Perceptions on the Role of Male Teachers in Preschools in Vihiga Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Children who are taught by both male and female teachers stand a better chance of being all-round adults. This means that a male teacher is a central in the well-being of children in preschools. The study was to explore parents’ perceptions of the role of male teachers’ in preschools in Vihiga Sub-county as well as examine the influence of demographic factors on parents’ perception of the role of male teachers in pre-schools in the sub-county. The study was guided by Albert Bandura’s Motivational and Social Learning theory. This study employed descriptive research design. The dependent variable was parents’ perception of role of male teachers’ in pre-schools, while the independent variables were parents’ demographic characteristics. The locale of the study was Vihiga Sub County. The study targeted parents of children in 154 preschools within Vihiga Sub County. The study used purposive and stratified sampling techniques to select the sample for the study. The sample of the study consisted of 85 parents. Questionnaire and interview schedules were used to collect data. A pilot study was done with parents in two preschools. Data was collected in two stages and analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results from data analysis indicated that parents’ perception of the role of male teachers’ in pre-schools was negative. It was also clear from the results that the parents’ perception was influenced by parents’ age, while level of education and income did not influence their perception. It was recommended that school management should organize programs to help parents to understand the role played by male teachers in preschools in order to change their attitude towards male teachers.