Dynamics of Learning Among Pre-Primary School Learners in Uyo Senatorial District, Nigeria: an Exploration of Formal and Informal Education Processes
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Dynamics of learning among pre-primary school learners in Uyo Senatorial District, Nigeria: An exploration of formal and informal education processes By ARIT OKONOBONG ATAKPA 214585516 Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Education University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa December, 2018 i ii CERTIFICATION I certify that this thesis ‘Dynamics of learning among pre-primary school learners in Uyo Senatorial District,Nigeria: An exploration of formal and informal education processes’ is the original work by Arit Okonobong Atakpa with student number 214585516 in the Department of Early Childhood Development (ECD) under my supervision. ……………………………….. Date:……………………………….. Professor Silthabile Ntombela ……………………………….. Date:……………………………….. Dr. Bonakele Y. Mhlongo iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the Almighty God who has been my hope and stay. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT With a deep sense of gratitude, I sincerely wish to acknowledge people who have made this successful story a reality. Without God it would not have been possible for me to bring this work to completion. To Him be all the glory. To my efficient supervisor Prof Sithabile Ntombela and Dr Bonakele Y. Mhlongo for their patience, encouragement, understanding, scholarly advice and useful corrections at all stages to give this work a first lift. I say thanks immensely. Special thanks go to my internal reader Prof Akinbote for accepting to look critically at the contents of this work despite his crowded academic engagement. I sincerely wish to acknowledge and appreciate the academic assistance received by Dr and Mrs Louis Okon Akpan, Dr Ekanem A. Ekanem, Dr Immaculate Umoh, Dr Ebenezer Akpan, Mamazippo, Dagogo Williams and Messei Peters. My unreserved thanks go to my colleagues and friends Mr Maxwell Jnr Opoku for all his assistance, God bless you richly. To my family members, especially my immediate family, Mrs Affiong Rock Dick, Prince Itam Atakpa, Mrs Favour Jackson and Michael Atakpa, thank you for your support and prayers. To my friends and colleagues, thank you for your fervent prayers. I am grateful to all the teachers and parents whose schools I used to conduct the research work. Thank you for your co-operation; you made it possible for me to receive information for this study. I sincerely acknowledge all the authors whose works and ideas have in no small measure helped to complete this work. Lastly I give God all the glory for His mercy and goodness to me. v Table of Contents Declaration .........................................................................................................................................ii Certification .......................................................................................................................................iii Dedication ..........................................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgement .............................................................................................................................v Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................................vi Abstract .............................................................................................................................................xiii List of Abbreviations .........................................................................................................................xv List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................xvi List of Appendices .............................................................................................................................241 Chapter one: Children begin to learn ............................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................1 1.2 The focus and purpose of the study .............................................................................................4 1.3 Statement of the problem .............................................................................................................5 1.4 Rationale/motivation for the study...............................................................................................7 1.5 Description of research site ..........................................................................................................9 1.6 Research Questions ......................................................................................................................12 1.7 Objectives of the study.................................................................................................................12 vi 1.8 Significance of the study ..............................................................................................................12 1.9 An overview of the theoretical framework, research design and methodology ..........................13 1.9.1 Theoretical underpinning of the study ......................................................................................13 1.9.2 Qualitative research methodology ............................................................................................14 1.9.3 Research paradigm ....................................................................................................................14 1.9.4 Research sampling ....................................................................................................................14 1.9.5 Data gathering approach ...........................................................................................................15 1.9.6 Data analysis method ................................................................................................................15 1.10 Organisational structure of the thesis .........................................................................................15 1.11 Explanation of the key concepts ................................................................................................17 1.11.1 Learning ..................................................................................................................................17 1.11.2 Pre-primary school ..................................................................................................................18 1.11.3 Dynamics ................................................................................................................................18 1.11.4 Formal education process .......................................................................................................18 1.11.5 Informal education ..................................................................................................................18 1.11.6 Language ................................................................................................................................19 1.11.7 Mother tongue ........................................................................................................................19 1.12 Summary ....................................................................................................................................19 Chapter two: Historical development of early childhood education in the world: with a particular reference to Nigeria .......................................................................................................20 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................20 2.2 Conceptualisation of early childhood education ..........................................................................20 2.3 History of early childhood education ...........................................................................................25 vii 2.4 Early childhood education in some countries in the world ..........................................................30 2.4.1 Early childhood education in USA ...........................................................................................30 2.4.2 Early childhood education in Germany ....................................................................................31 2.4.3 Early childhood education in China ..........................................................................................32 2.4.4 Early childhood education in South Africa ...............................................................................33 2.5 Early childhood education in Nigeria ..........................................................................................33 2.5.1 National Policy on education and early childhood education in Nigeria ..................................35 2.5.2 The roles of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in National Policy on Education ....................38 2.5.3 Universal Basic Education (UBE) with Early Child Care Development and Education .........39 2.6 Summary ......................................................................................................................................49 Chapter three: Review of the related literature ............................................................................50 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................50