The perspective of parents and teachers on the challenges of kindergarten education in the Kassena-Nankana West District of Ghana

Abstract

This study was done to investigate the stakeholders’ perspective of early childhood education (ECE) in the Kassena-Nankana West District (KNWD). A quantitative research approach methodology and simple random sampling was used for the survey. Two hundred and eighteen (218) respondents consisting of 100 parents of ECE pupils, 118 teachers took part in the survey and the questionnaire for the quantitative survey involving teachers and parents showed an overall Cronchbach’s Alpha of 0.820, which means the data collection instruments had high degree of internal consistency and reliability. The study revealed several challenges facing ECE in KNWD such as failure of the District Education Directorate (DED) to follow through ECE policies and programmes guidelines, lack of infrastructure at ECE schools, unqualified teachers handling ECE, large class size sometimes resulting in overcrowding and low level of salaries of ECE teachers. The study recommends pragmatic actions be undertaken to address the challenges facing ECE in the district.