Factors influencing community participation in the development of pre school centres in Makueni county, Kenya

Abstract

The study examined the factors influencing community participation in the development of preschool centres and education in Makueni County. The study investigated the impact of economic status, Community literacy level and community awareness towards the establishment and development of preschool centres and programmes. The study investigated the headteachers, preschool teachers, parents and preschool children in relation to their level of participation and involvement in preschool development. It aimed at establishing whether their economic status, levels of education and awareness of the importance of early childhood education determined their ability and willingness to participate. The sampled population comprised of 400 parents, 60 preschool teachers, 30 primary school headteachers, 600 pre scholars in 30 preschools. The study adopted field survey design to investigate the influence of community participation in the preschool development in Makueni County Kenya. The research instruments used were questionnaires filled by headteachers to give feedback from the preschools. Questionnaires were also distributed to pre-school teachers. The researcher also used an interview guide for the parents. An observation schedule was used to monitor physical facilities and children’s well being. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The findings show that majority of the parents did not have adequate education. Education transforms enhances knowledge and empowers an individual. Education enables a person to think and make rational decisions. The finding show that most of parents had knowledge on education and only a few parents had no educational awareness. The study recommends that parents should be involved in assessment of pre-school programmes so that they can own them. The government should invest heavily on industrialization for the creation of more job opportunities to make education gain more value. Awareness meetings and workshops should be carried out to increase parent’s participation in preschool development and partnership policies. Further research should be carried to map out the locally available resources in different quarters of the county to help provide better ECD facilities and services.