Provision of Resources and Facilities in ECDE Centres in Mwea East Sub-County, Kirinyaga County, Kenya
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Date
2016-05
Authors
Kirembu, Lucy W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Early childhood Development Education is an important aspect of basic education
that lays a sound foundation for primary education and personality development
which can make all the difference in the child's future. The history of Early
Childhood Development dates back to ancient times with Egyptians, Greeks and
Romans before introduction of formal education in Kenya. In Kenya, great deal
has been achieved in Early Childhood Development through involvement of
various community agents like Ministry of Education, development partners,
religious organizations and parents' organizations. This is in line with global
requirements for child holistic development as stipulated in United Nations
Conventions on the rights of children and African charter. The purpose of the
study was to investigate the level of community involvement in the provision of
school resources in ECDE centres. The study objectives were to establish
availability of learning resources, find out the physical conditions of the resources
in the ECDE centres, establish the agents involved and to determine the role of the
community in provision of school resources in ECDE centres. The study was
guided by Bronfernbrenner Ecological Theory on the interaction of children and
immediate environment the Rights and welfare of the child. The study adopted
descriptive research design. It was carried out in Mwea East Sub-County,
Kirinyaga County. Data was collected from a sampled population selected using a
stratified random sampling technique from Mwea East Sub-County. It consisted of
20 teachers and 60 parents. The data collection instruments were questionnaires
and observation schedules. Validity and Reliability was established through
scrutinizing of the instruments by researcher and research supervisors as well as
through a pilot test in 3 schools not included in the study sample. Data collected
was then coded and analysed descriptively using statistical package of social
sciences and presented in tables. The study established that provision of quality
early childhood education is faced with a number of challenges, key among them
shortage of funds and negative attitude of the community towards provision of
resources in early childhood education. The resources and facilities available
included colours, picture books, pencils, crayons, counters, exercise books, charts,
furniture, kitchens, playgrounds, classrooms and toilets. The agents involved in the
provision of resources in the ECDE centres included the county government,
parents, teachers, community, NGOs and churches. The parents and the
community participated in donating instructional materials, organizing
fundraising, initiating income generating projects, organizing academic days,
supporting feeding programmes and providing the basic needs to the children. The
study recommends that community should be sensitized on the importance of
learning resources in children learning. All stakeholders in the education sector
should come up with modalities of ensuring that there is adequate provision or
resources in ECDE centres.
Description
A Research Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) in the School of Education of Kenyatta University May, 2016.