Prospects And Challenges Facing The Devolved System Of Government In The Provision Of Early Childhood Education In Bomet Central Sub-County – Kenya.

Abstract

The 2010 constitution of Kenya emphasizes on delegation of duties from national level of government to county level government.The fourth Schedule of this constitution places pre-primary education and childcare facilities under the county government. The purpose of this study was to determine the prospects and challenges facind the devolved sdevolved system of government and the provision of ECDE taking a survey in Bomet Central sub- County in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the role of county government in training of ECD teachers in Bomet county; to determine the extent of county government participation in recruitment and supervision of ECD teachers in Bomet county; to investigate the level of remunaration by county government in Bomet County and to establish the status of physical facilities in ECD centers in Bomet county. The study utilized descriptive survey design. The study population comprised 143 head teachers and 183 ECD teachers from all the pre-schools in Bomet Central. Out of these a sample of 52 head teachers and 68 ECD teachers was used in data collection. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling in the selection of population. The primary data was collected using questionnaires, and Observation Checklist. The researcher piloted the instruments among 10 head teachers and 10 ECDE teachers who were not included in the actual sample. Data was coded and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitatively descriptive statistics were used and quantitatively, analysis of variance (ANOVA).The study established that the county government did not actively engage in the training of ECD teachers though they actively participated in employment of these teachers. It further established that the county government officials were not adequately equipped to handle inspection and assessment of ECDE services. It was established in the study that teachers in the county government were not paid adequate salaries. This led to high levels of demotivation and turnover of teachers. The study also established that the status of physical facilities in ECD centers in the county were not enough for all the children enrolled and were in in dilapidated state due to the fact that the county government was not involved in repairs and maintenance. Based on these findings the study recommends that county government need to partner with other players in the provision of financial support that will facilitate construction of permanent classes, provision of teaching and learning materials and other physical facilities that are required at the ECDE centers. It is the recommendation of the study that the county government should provide adequate and regular salaries for ECDE teachers. Adequate salary for the teachers will ease teachers’ financial constraints and will improve work conditions at the ECDE centers for proper implementation of ECDE programme.