Factors influencing completion rate of early childhood Development and education certificate program in Kenya: a case Of in-service teacher training in Kikuyu district, Kenya

Abstract

This research was conducted to assess the factors influencing completion rate of Early Childhood Development and Education certificate program in Kenya: a case of in-service teacher training in Kikuyu District. These factors are: expected returns, cost of the program and availability of learner support services. The research was guided by the following objectives: to assess the extent to which the expected returns, cost of the program, and availability of learner support services influence completion rate of early childhood development and education certificate program in Kenya: a case of in-service teacher training in Kikuyu District. It looked at the completion rate and issues related to early childhood Development and education from global, Africa and local perspectives. It also has theoretical and conceptual frameworks on which the study is based on. This research concentrated on a population of 75 teacher trainees in Kikuyu District in the institutions where the teachers are based. This population of teachers are those who have completed certificate course in early Childhood Development and Education course as an in-service teacher training program. The data was collected by use of questionnaires which were distributed to various colleges. The questionnaires’ reliability and validity were tested before the data was collected. The data was analysed and presented using tables. The major finding of this research is that Early Childhood Development and Education certificate course in teaching has been packaged to enable teacher trainees to complete the course once they enrol. The findings of this study are expected to benefit educationists and policy makers in making decisions concerning the future of Early Childhood Development and Education. The findings would also be valuable to teachers as well as future researchers who my use them as a point of reference. A major recommendation is to have the government implement the employment structure for teachers who have completed their certificate course.