Mainstreaming Instructional Materials for Early Childhood Education and its Influence on Children’s Participation Rates in Public Primary Schools in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Mainstreaming instructional materials in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is of paramount importance in the teaching and learning process. The purpose of this research was aimed at discovering how availability of instructional materials influences participation rates, an aspect of internal efficiency. The study was guided by correlation design and adopted stratified and simple random sampling techniques. A total of 39 public primary schools were sampled; in addition to 39 and 156 primary school headteachers and teachers respectively and 39 ECE teachers.  Data for the study was collected through the use of questionnaires and documentary analysis guide. SPSS and Pearson correlation was used to analyse data and results were presented in percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations.  Data analysed revealed that there was a positive correlation between ECE instructional materials and internal efficiency in public primary schools (r = .703, n = 37, p< .01). The study concluded that there is a positive correlation between ECE instructional materials and children’s participation rates. Therefore, there is need for headteachers in collaboration with the county government and parents to avail adequate instructional materials to enhance children’s participation rates.