Determinants of the quality of Early childhood development education in Mandera Central District, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the determinants of the quality of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) in Mandera Central District. The objectives of the study included an assessment of the effects of physical facilities, establishment of the level of supervision and inspection of ECDE centres by the Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO's), assessment of the academic qualification of pre-school teachers, level of community support for ECDE centres and instructional materials of ECDE centres.

The study used a survey design where the participants were twenty eight preschool headteachers, thirty six preschool teachers and four pre-school educational officers. The instruments included questionnaires, interview guides and observation schedules. The use of questionnaires in this research was important in obtaining information from headteachers and teachers. The findings of the study indicated that most of the physical facilities in Mandera Central District are developed by the community.

It also indicated that there were frequent supervision and inspection on the quality of education done within the ECDE centres. It also indicated that the QASO's also supervise and inspect the implementation of the curriculum. The recommendations of the study indicated that ECDE should be based on the concrete experiences and cognitive abilities of the child.