Impact of parental alcohol abuse on enrolment of preschoolers in Early childhood development education(ECDE) centers in Kiharu Division, Murang'a District

Abstract

Education for all has been one of the major developmental goals of the Kenyan Government (Republic of Kenya 2003). To achieve these goals the government has adopted several strategies and measures since independence, the latest being free primary education (FPE) in January 2003. However, and despite all these efforts, there has been education wastage through inadequate pre school enrolment. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that lead to poor enrolment for pre-school learners in ECDE centers. The study further sought to find out the impact of parental alcohol abuse on enrolment of pre school learners in ECDE centres. Literature review of this study explored various areas alcohol abuse influences enrolment of preschool learners in both developed and developing countries such as Kenya. The study targeted 20 public pre-schools in Kiharu Division, Murang’a East District. Five sets of questionnaires were used as instruments of data collection. These included: Parents aged 20-40 years, head teachers/ pre-school teachers, education officers, administration officers and health expert. Descriptive statistics, mainly frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze the data. Data analyzed revealed that there was education wastage through poor enrolment of pre-scholars in the division. Factors responsible for poor enrolment include: parental ignorance, increased Poverty; the major cause being parental alcohol abuse. To ensure that the problem is solved, the study identified and suggested several measures such as strengthening school feeding programmers, ensuring pre-school education is free, sensitization of the community on education and enhancement of guidance and counseling especially to areas where alcohol is being used. The study concluded by providing suggestions for further research.