An investigation on factors leading to a child friendly school environment in public primary schools; The case of Njoro district, Nakuru county

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to carry out a detailed investigation on the factors leading to a Child Friendly School Environment in public primary schools in Njoro District, of Nakuru County which was guided by four objectives. A focus on the well being of a child has a potential of addressing disparities that stem from home and community backgrounds, creating a more level playing field for all learners to achieve their full potential through access to education opportunities. The study's theoretical framework was based on Abraham Maslow's Hierarchical order of needs. The study adopted a survey research design. The target population of the study included the 87 head teachers; 732 teachers; and 3000 class eight, 2013 pupils representing all the pupils in the district. Systematic sampling technique was used to select nine (10%) schools where the 9 head teachers were drawn from; Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select three hundred (10%) pupils and seventy three (10%) teachers making a total of three hundred and eighty two (10%) responses. Interview schedules, questionnaires and observation schedules were used as research instruments to gather information on variables of interest. After coding the responses manually, data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data quantitatively. Qualitative data obtained from the open-ended questions were analyzed according to themes based on the study objectives and the research questions and thereafter, inferences and conclusions were drawn. Analyzed data was presented using tables and charts. This study found out that the use of child-friendly pedagogy, the encouragement of learners to participate actively in teaching/learning process, well maintained, spacious and aerated classrooms and enough desks for all pupils, parental provisions to their children's moral and material support and parental active involvement in maintaining discipline, community's active involvement in decision making, the use of democratic leadership style and school administrators' exposure to educational management skills are key factors that lead to creation of CFSE in public primary schools in Njoro District of Nakuru County. It recommended that the MOE and institutions charged with teacher education should continuously train teachers on use of child-friendly pedagogy, all educational stake holders including MOE, SMC, parents, community and teachers should ensure that key school infrastructures are well maintained, the parents and community should be encouraged and facilitated to play their part, and the inculcation of democratic leadership tenets in the schools and schools administrators' exposure to educational management skills should be encouraged and facilitated.