Factors that influence parental involvement on enrolment of physically challenged preschool children in Langata district, Nairobi county

Abstract

This study set out to establish the factors that in fluence parental involvement on enrolment of physically challenged preschool chi ldren in Langata district. The study examined the relationship between parenta l literacy level and enrolment of physically challenged preschool childr en, the role of parental awareness, the role of parental social economic sta tus and the role of parental cultural beliefs in the enrolment of physically cha llenged preschool children. From the findings, boys were found to be highly enr olled compared to girl child. Such enrolment was noted to consistently inc rease with level of class (baby to pre-unit class) as most of the learners’ p rogressed to formal school. However enrolment of the physically challenged lear ners were found to be highly low compared to the number of normal childre n. There was no doubt therefore that physically challenged learners were denied opportunity to be enrolled in preschool for learning activities irres pective of their needs and difficulties. The study further established that pa rents who had higher qualification in education, well placed in terms of employment were able to care for their individual learners’ needs as they c onsistently chose quality learning centers with relevant resources for learne rs’ activities irrespective of their cultural background. They also competently ch ecked up on their children’s school attendance and quality follow-up for their adequate learning. Hence, the children under their care were lively, active and competent in class activities and school attendance as compared to their counterparts from either unemployed parents or low level of education. Further additional analysis showed that parental in volvement on their physically challenged learners exerted positive eff ects on rate of enrolment and retention. It helped to improve quality learnin g atmosphere, support in collection of learning materials and ensuring effec tive use to improve learning. The level of collection and preparation f or special activities influenced the number of children to be enrolled in preschool centres. It was recommended that preschools should create more lear ner support centres in order to promote parental involvement and adequate level of commitment for the physically challenged learners in order to prod uce great rewards for improved enrolment. The support includes what child ren eat for effective growth and development. Preschools and families sho uld also ensure high level of parental activity and financial participat ion .in preschool and sustained improvement on rate of enrolment of learn ers with physical challenge. This will largely improve the demand for enrolment among all learners irrespective of their needs and abilities