Preparedness of primary school teachers in transitioning preschool children to lower primary in Kikuyu Kiambu County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2016-11
Authors
Onyango, Conslata Nabwire
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Transitions are imminent in the lives of young children as they grow and develop.
Major transitions involving movement from one environment to another, including
home to child care, preschool to elementary school settings which often hold
particular significance for young children and their families. Teachers may lack
experience navigating these situations leading to uncertainty and anxiety for both
children and caregivers. Various attempts to improve on transitioning to lower
primary school have resulted in different effects in transitioning from preschool to
lower primary school. Despite all this, little or no special considerations have been
.put in place to ensure that preschool learners experience meet a smooth transitioning
from preschool to lower primary. The efforts made have not always led to expected
results in transitioning. Therefore this study endeavored to assess the preparedness of
primary school teachers in transitioning preschool children to lower primary
education in Kikuyu sub-county. The study aimed at fmding out the level of
preparedness of lower primary school teachers to transit preschool children to lower
primary in Kikuyu Sub-County. The study adopted an exploratory approach using
descriptive survey design. The study targeted 57 public primary schools and their
preschool centers, a similar number of head teachers and Standard one teachers.
Random sampling was used to sample 12 schools, head teachers 12 standard one
teachers and 24 preschool teachers. The study made use of questionnaires and
interview schedules to assess the preparedness of the primary level teachers in
transitioning preschool children to lower primary school. The validity of the research
instruments was determined by selecting two schools. Reliability of the tools was
tested during piloting using the split-half reliability index and Cronbach's' coefficient
alpha to check on the internal consistency of the questionnaires before the actual data
collection commenced. The researcher sought permission to carry out the research
from Ministry of Education Science and Technology through the sub-county
education officer Kikuyu Sub County after presenting a research permit from the
National Council for Science, Technology arid Innovation and an introductory letter
from Kenyatta University. Confidentiality, Anonymity and informant's consent were
strictly adhered to by not asking queries that would reveal their identity. The
collected data was organized for analysis using Statistical Packages for Social
Sciences software. Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient (r) was used to
analyze data and qualitative data analysis using thematic approaches. Data was
presented using frequencies, percentages, charts and tables to support discussion
made. It can be concluded that teachers in Kiambu sub-county according to this
study were not prepared adequately to help preschool children to transit smoothly to
lower primary. Although teachers had not been trained on how to enhance smooth
transitioning of preschool children to lower primary, there were some efforts being
put in place in facilitating transitioning. Efforts to try and help preschool children to
smoothly transit to lower primary is also evident from some of the suggestions that
studied teachers gave. Some of these suggestions were that preschool centres to be
established either in the same compound as primary schools or let them be as close
as possible, that teachers and parents to encourage preschool children to interact
freely with other children.
Description
A research project submitted for the partial fulfilment of the degree of Master Of Education (Early Childhood Studies) in the School of Education, Kenyatta University. November, 2016