The influence of early childhood education on the learners school achievement in the selected primary schools of Kajuki zone, Meru south district Kenya

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2010-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Education Open and Distance Learning
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of early childhood education on children's educational attainment. The following objectives guided the study: to find out if when children participate in ECDE programs will perform better in school. To find out whether by children participating in the ECDE programs makes them better in language and literacy, and to find out how those children who attended preschool socially related better than those who did not and if the parents of those children actively involved themselves in classroom activities. It was carried out in Kajuki Zone, Meru South District of Kenya. The respondents used in the study were teachers, parents who filled a semi-structured questionnaire containing items which had been formulated from the objectives and sample was selected randomly. Findings showed that 53% of the teachers were in agreement that those children who had attended pre-school were better in the above mentioned aspects of performance. 31% disagreed and 16% did not know. Findings in the study suggest that 65% of the teachers were in agreement that those children who had attended preschool were better in reading skills than their counterparts who were just beginning the task. This greatly contributes to their academic progress. Also if a child can easily express her/ his self then she/ he is most likely to grasp much in class, relate healthily with other children. Recommendations were also made. Teachers need some formal training in early childhood education. This is because without the appropriate skills and knowledge the teachers can not effectively help the young child to develop appropriately for those ones in the field. The government of Kenya should be integrated in free primary education in order to attract parents, to take their children to ECD centers.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Institute of Open and Distance Learning in partial fulfillment of the requirement for award of a Bachelor's Degree in Education of Kampala International University
Keywords
childhood, Education, Primary schools, Kajuki zone, kenya
Citation