Factors that influence participation of children in early childhood education centres in Kenya: a case of central division, Garissa district

Abstract

This study sought to establish the challenges facing early childhood education centers in central division of Garissa District North Eastern Province Kenya. The study gathered both quantitative and qualitative data about challenges facing early childhood education centers. The data was collected from ten pre-primary schools, 30 pre-primary school pupils and 10 teachers.

The study used descriptive survey. It also used three research questions to answer the objectives. The first research question sought to get information on the level of Government's participation in ECD activities, the second one established the attitude of the community towards ECD Centers in Central Division of Garissa District while the third research question sought to establish the challenges facing ECD Centers in Central Division of Garissa District.

The data analysis was done by use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) programme. The results were generated and presented in form of percentages; frequencies and this were my findings: Few teachers trained, where as many of them possessed the lowest qualification that of KCPE. There were few physical facilities available in the school, in most cases resources of available in schools were rated very poorly in terms of quality and quantity.

There was little funding from the government. Most of the ECDE centres heavily relied on communities for funding. There was no clear government policy on ECDE and this resulted to an even teaching approaches in schools ECDE teachers were poorly remunerated and it was strongly recommended that they be paid along with other teachers both in primary and secondary level.