Factors Hindering Community Participation in the Development of ECDE Centres

Abstract

The current policy on management of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres is vested in communities to provide and support development activities with the government providing curriculum and instruction support .This study sought to investigate factors hindering community participation in the development of ECD centres. The study was guided by the following objectives namely: to determine the effect of poverty, literacy levels of parents and teacher community relationship on community participation in the development of the ECD centres. Descriptive survey design was employed in the study. A questionnaire containing both open and closed ended questions was completed by 30 parents and 6 teachers. An in-depth interview was conducted with 6 school committee members. Interpretation and presentation of data was accomplished through descriptive statistics. The study established that high cost of living coupled with high unemployment rate and lack of morale contributed to negligible community participation in the development of ECD centres. It was recommended that teachers, parents and community members need to be sensitized on the importance of Early Childhood Education (ECE).