Factors influencing provision of teaching and learning resources in Early Childhood development and education in Matinyani district

Abstract

This study sought to establish the factors influencing the provision of teaching and learning resources in Early Childhood Development and Education in public centers of Matinyani district, Kitui County in Kenya. Most of the public pre-schools lack teaching and learning resources which are extremely important in child's holistic development, as children learn better through experiencing, exploiting, discovering, restructuring, speaking and listening. This study was based on these factors influencing provision of teaching and learning resources; namely government grants, environment and community participation. The study objectives were to establish the extent to which the grants, environment and community participation influenced the provision of teaching and learning resources in pre-schools.

The study adopted a descriptive survey design with two questionnaires for teachers and head teachers. Stratified sampling was used to get respondents from four zones of Matinyani district. Purposive sampling was used to get male and female respondents covering 45 ECDE teachers and 24 head teachers. Data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive, inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study revealed that most learning resources come from the environment, that community participation is important and that there is little -government grant influence on the provision of teaching and learning resources.

The study recommended school's curriculum within the schools to incorporate learning skills and knowledge on sustainable utilization, conservation and development of a rich environment to ensure continued access to appropriate national TIL resources within the schools. Also government support to such initiatives would serve as a motivation to both the schools and the parental community towards such initiatives. The community should also be mobilized and sensitized to increase participation and knowledge on their importance on provision of teaching and learning resources.