Strategies for Improving Early Childhood Education Programme in Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze. Anambra State.
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of Study
- Find out the strategies of improving early childhood education programme
- Find out the effect of inadequate number of teachers on the effective implementation of early childhood programme.
- Find out the effect of non-availability of early childhood equipment / materials on the improvement of early childhood education programme.
- Find out the effect of poor government funding of early childhood education in the tertiary level on the development of early childhood education programmes.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
In this chapter, the literature is reviewed under the following sub-headings.
Concept of early childhood education
Importance of early childhood education
Problems of early childhood Education
Strategies for improving Early childhood Education
CONCEPT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Early childhood Education consists of activities and experience that are intended to affect the development changes in children prior their entry into elementary school. Early childhood education (ECE) programmes include any typeof educational programme that serves children in the pre school years and is designed to improve later school performance. Early childhood education often focuses on guiding children to learn through play.
According to Ibiam and Ugwu (2009), defined it as the education designed to develop the habits, attitude and skills needed for primary education. FRN (2004) refers early childhood education as an education given in educational institution to children aged three to five plus prior to their entering the primary school.
Early childhood education is flexible in structure with baby friendly and learning environment. Early childhood education, in the context of formal education can be said to be a formalized educational process to which children between the age of two and half through five plus are subjected to designated pre-school institutions. When families are involved in their children’s early education children experience greater-success once they enter primary school and even in later life. (miedel and Reynoids, 1999). Also, the formal school setting in early childhood education is a supplement to the home and a substitute. It promotes the complete development of the child that house can easily provide.
More so, Maduewesi (2005), believed it encompasses the care development, and education of children below the age of six years. The earliest year of the child’s life are very critical. They influence how the rest of childhood and adolescence untold. According to Baroody et al (2005), children at tender age tend to generally grasp numeric skills through verbal or non verbal ways, or through informal environments like play grounds, homes, car and shopping malls. These environments provide a positive approach to laying the right foundation for serious mental work among young children.
IMPORTANCE OF ECE TO THE ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD
Under-pinning the importance attached to early childhood education which pre-primary education is an integral part, the world declaration on the survival, protection and development of children in 1990, undertook a joint commitment to make an urgent universal appeal to give every child a better future. In addition, the world conference in Education for all (EFA) and the united nations convention on the rights of the child emphasized urgent priority to ensure access to improve the quality of Education for all children.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
This chapter describes the procedure which the researchers will use in carrying out this study. This include; research design, area of study, population of the study, sample and sampling technique, instrument for data collection, validation of the instrument, method of administration of instrument and method of data analysis.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The study adopts a survey research design. The choice of survey research design is supported by Nworgu (1991) who stated that a survey seeks to study the whole population by collecting and analyzing data from a few people considered to be representative of the entire population.
AREA OF THE STUDY
The area of the study is Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State. Federal college of Education (Technical) Umunze offers Early Childhood Education programme.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
The population comprises of all the year 2 (126) and year 3 (82) NCE students of Early childhood Education department which has the total number of two hundred and eight (208) students.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND DATA ANALYSIS
This chapter is concerned with the presentation and analysis of the data being collected from the field in accordance with the research questions.
RESASERCH QUESTION 1
What are the effective strategies for improving on early childhood education programme?
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
In this chapter the researchers has organized this chapter under the following subheading.
Discussion of finding
Implication of the study
Recommendation
Limitation of the study
Conclusion
Suggestion for further studies
Discussion Of The Findings
The first research question in table (1) one reveals that the effective strategies for improving on early childhood education programme were considered agreed by the respondents as the items response thus; organizing workshops and seminars for teachers will enhance the production of competent teachers, government to allocate more funds for implementation of early childhood education programme, regular supervision by government and ministry, employment of enough and qualified teachers for early childhood education programme and providing instructional facilities, equipment and materials. This opinion is in line with the contribution of FRN (2004) and NPE (2004) also appreciated the strategies of most of the items mentioned. It is therefore essential for such conditions as identified and upheld as well as supported by other authors.
In the findings on research question (2) two as presented in table 2. The findings reveals that all the five items on the effect of inadequate number of qualified teachers on the effective implementation of early childhood education programme. Among some of the effect upheld were that lack of qualified teachers affects the teaching of early childhood education, insufficient number of teachers affects early childhood education, lack of competent teachers affects the implementation of the programme, teachers of early childhood education are particularly few in the institution and most of the teachers are not specialist in the early childhood education programme as stipulated by FME (2011) and Ajiegbo, (2008), also appreciated the importance of most the items mentioned. It is therefore essential for such conditions as identified and upheld as well as supported by other authors.
The findings on research question three (3) are presented in table three (3). The findings reveals that out of five (5) categories of effect of non-availability of early childhood equipment / materials on the improvement of early childhood education mentioned, 3 categories were agreed as the effect of non-availability of early childhood equipment / materials as the responses items are equipment / material used to improve the programme are inadequate, there are no enough classroom and conducive environment for early childhood education and Government assist institution in the provision of equipment / materials. This opinion is in line with contribution of NPE (2004) and Olaleye et al (2009). Other reasons include teachers often fail to use equipment / materials of early childhood education and early childhood teachers cannot manage equipment / material for the programme were disagreed as the effect of non-availability of early childhood equipment/ materials on the improvement of early childhood education.
In the findings on research question four (4) as presented in table 4. The findings reveals that out of the five (5) items of the effect of poor government funding of early childhood education in the tertiary level on the development of early childhood education programme mentioned, four (4) items were agreed as the effect of poor government funding as the response items are; government are expected to use motivating factors e.g reinforcement in order to stimulate the teachers interest, lack of government interest affects early childhood education implementation, government should implement early childhood education in all tertiary institutions and poor government funding affects the development of early childhood education programme. This opinion is in line with the contribution of NPE (2004) and Osakwe, (2009). Other reasons which inculcate funding should be the responsibility of the government were rejected by the respondent as the effect of poor government funding of early childhood education in the tertiary level on the development of early childhood education programme as contributed by Alabi & Ijaiya, (2011).
Implication of the Study
It is unveiled from this research work that using positive means, methods and strategies are highly necessary in improving early childhood education programme. In this vein quality, sourcefull and trained teachers who are able to take adequate and any available opportunity in teaching early childhood education and management of facilities should be deployed in institutions. Basically, the government on the other hand, has part to play. Thus, funding of institution, motivation of teachers and provision of equipment and materials of early childhood education programme. It is only the government that can conveniently provide them in tertiary institution.
Furthermore, this research work has brought to light that inadequate number of qualified teachers, non-availability of early childhood equipment / materials and poor government funding are problems facing the implementation of early childhood education programme. Thus, for us to have effective strategy in early childhood education implementation, quality teachers should be provided, enough equipment and conducive environment should be put in place as well as motivation and funding on the part of the government should not be over emphasized.
However, sufficient awareness/training and seminar programmes are not organized regularly in the institution by the government and educational institution and thus, equipment/material are practically oriented and should be provided for early childhood education programme. Therefore, Early childhood Education teachers should work contentiously to improve in their quality, quantity and use as well as ways in handling equipment when teaching early childhood education.
Finally students should be motivated to realize the importance the course is to them as well as the future generation as such education is concerned.
Recommendations
On the basis of the findings, the researchers has made the following recommendation.
- Government should provide enough funds for schools and tertiary institutions.
- Teachers and students should be trained and retrained to update their knowledge and methods in teaching early childhood education as well as various area of specialization.
- Increase the availability of teachers in programme and equipment in implementation of the programme of early childhood education.
- Parents, community, government and non-governmental organization should give necessary support on early childhood education programme.
Limitation of the Study
In carrying out this research, the researcher encountered a lot of constraints. These include; finance, and limited time. The researcher made use of questionnaire in collecting data, neglecting any other instrument.
Also, it could have been appropriate to cover other tertiary institution in Anambra State. This is because early childhood education is applicable in colleges of education in Anambra State.
Conclusion
In the light of the findings of this study, the following conclusions were drawn, strategies for improvement of early childhood education programme will be more effective of the government and non-governmental organizations should provide more funds in purchasing of equipment and building of infrastructure as well as provide reinforcement tor teachers of early childhood education.
Moreover, if human resources in the teaching and learning of early childhood education are of good quality and quantity it will go a long way to improve the interest of other teachers to be specialist in early childhood education.
Finally, teachers should train themselves by attending seminars, conferences and workshop which are organized by the government or the institution on the need for improving and upgrading the early childhood education, its policies and implementation so as to achieve the goal of education.
Reference
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