Factors Influencing Primary School Teachers In Public And Private Schools To Pursue Bachelor Of Education In Kikuyu Sub – County, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence primary school teachers in public and private schools to pursue Bachelor of Education in Kikuyu Sub- County, Kiambu County, Kenya. This study therefore attempted to establish the influence of category of schools, individual factors, financial factors and mode of study offered by universities on public and private primary school teachers‘ pursuit of Bachelor of Education Programme. Teachers in primary schools are pursuing Bachelor of Education degree course after completion of pre-service training to further their professional qualification, enhance career development, improved professional competence and enhanced self-esteem. Bachelor of Education degree programme has been adapted to suite the student-teacher needs due to their availability; financial ability; individual factors and work station category. Related literature was reviewed in line with the study objectives. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study comprised of 257 primary school teachers. This population consisted of teachers and head teachers in private and public primary schools in the area. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument which was pre tested for reliability and validity. The results of the pilot study were used in making modifications for the instrument to ensure its clarity, accuracy and sustainability. The data collected was then coded and processed using the SPSS. It was then analyzed, interpreted and presented using frequency and percentage tables. The findings of the study indicated that that 56.3 percent of head teachers and 69.1 percent of teachers in public primary schools, and 60 percent of head teachers and 76 percent of teachers indicated that pursuit of Bachelor degree programmes was influenced by the school category at a large extent since the programme interfered with the smooth running of their school. Students‘ characteristics which included age, gender, marital status, academic qualification and perception were motivating or hindering factors in pursuit of in-service training. Lack of adequate financial ability hindered pursuit of B.Ed programmes and flexibility of mode of study offered by universities influenced pursuit of B.Ed courses to a large extent. The study recommended that private primary school management should be encouraged to allow their teachers pursue B.Ed courses as career development for the benefit of both the teacher and the students in their care. Also university institutions offering B,Ed courses for teacher already working should consider embracing on e-learning. This would encourage those teachers to juggle study, work and life. This would ensure that one can study, when, where and how they want. This addresses the bottle-necks of unavailability. The researcher suggested that a comparative study to investigate the teachers‘ performance before and after attainment of bachelor of education degree.