IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO THE DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, KIRA TOWN COUNCIL, WAKISO DISTRICT BY KIRUNGI RESTY MACLYNIE ATWOOKI BED/17108/71/DU A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE INSTITUTE OF OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING IN PARTIAL FULFILMENTOF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AW ARD OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (EARLY CHILDHOOD/ PRIMARY EDUCATION) OF KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 2009 DECLARATION I, KIRUNGI RESTY MACLYNIE ATWOOKI hereby declare that this is my original work and it has never been presented to any Institute of higher learning for any award. Name: Kirungi Resty Maclynie Atwooki Date: .....r .~~ :. 9.1/.~~-~~-..?.'?!-?1 ..... 11 APPROVAL I certify that, this research report meets the minimum requirements. Date: ......... .......... ~i'3-J . L~, iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my daughter (Ms. Priscilla Namara), my grand daughter (Ayebale Sarah Blessing), my sisters Nyamata Rachel and Jennifer Kaliba, my nephew baby Joshua and my close friends Apio Gladys and Bakumba Joseph Hannington. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I feel deeply indebted to many people for the help, advice and acknowledgement in as far as my education is concerned. Special recognition goes to Mrs. Florence Mugasha and Mr. Walusaga Laston, my beloved Directors for always paying my salary in time to enable me pay my tuition and allow me to attend this course. Kindly, I thank the management and staff of Hill Side Primary School, Naalya especially, Mr. Okia Henry Stanley for professional and moral support accorded to me during the study. I appreciate Kampala International University staff for having provided most infonnation and advice, and special thanks is forwarded to my supervisor Mr. Ssemugenyi Fred for his regular guidance and support in the production of this work. Not forgetting my church community, especially Pstr. Joshua, Sr. Benita, Br. Edward Apuuli among others who uplifted me spiritually during this struggle. Last but not least, I would like to thank my coursemates who were always there when I needed them. Finally, I am grateful to Mr. Ssentongo Stanley and Mr. Bairehaka Peter who encouraged me to attend this course. V TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Title Page ................................................................................................................... i Declaration ................................................................................................................. ii Approval.. .................................................................................................................. iii Dedication .................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgement.. ................................................................................................... v Table of contents ........................................................................................................ vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................. ix List of Figures ............................................................................................................ x List of Acronyms ....................................................................................................... xi Abstract. ..................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE...................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction /Background to the Study ................................................................ I 1.1 Overview.............................................................................................................. I 1.2 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose of the Study............................................................................................ 3 1.4 General Objectives of the Study .......................................................................... 3 1.5 Specific Objectives of the Study .......................................................................... 3 1.6 The Scope of the Study ....................................................................................... .4 1. 7 Research Questions .............................................................................................. 4 1.8 Significance of the Study..................................................................................... 4 CH.APTER TWO..................................................................................................... 6 LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................... 6 2. 0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Enrolment of disadvantaged children in various schools .................................... 6 2.2 Benefits ofECE programme to the disadvantaged children in Wakiso District..]] 2.3 Challenges Disadvantaged Children in the ECE Programmes ............................ 17 vi 2.4 Interventions to overcome the challenges which disadvantaged in BCE programme still face ...................................................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER THREE................................................................................................. 24 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY........................................................................... 24 3.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Research design ................................................................................................... 24 3.2 Area ofStudy....................................................................................................... 24 3.3 Target Population................................................................................................. 25 3.4 Sampling Procedure ............................................................................................. 25 3.5 Sample Size.......................................................................................................... 26 3.6 Data Collection methods ...................................................................................... 26 3.6.1 Questionnaire.................................................................................................... 26 3.6.2 Interviews .......................................................................................................... 27 3.7 Research Procedure.............................................................................................. 28 3.8 Data Processing and Analysis .............................................................................. 29 3.9 Limitations of the Study....................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................... 30 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS ... 30 4.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 30 4.1 The enrolment of disadvantaged children in the BCE Schools ........................... .32 4.2 The benefits ofECE to the disadvantaged children in Wakiso District.. ............ 34 4.3 The challenges disadvantaged children face in the BCE programme.................. 38 4.4 Possible interventions to overcome the challenges which disadvantaged children face ............................................................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER FIVE..................................................................................................... 49 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................ 49 5.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 49 5 .1 Trends in enrolment of disadvantaged children in the various schools .............. .49 Vil 5.2 Benefits ofECE to the disadvantaged children ................................................... 50 5.3 Challenges disadvantaged children face in the ECE programme ........................ 50 5.4 Intervention to overcome the challenges facing ECE programme ...................... 51 5.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 52 5.6 Recommendations ................................................................................................ 53 5. 7 Areas for further research.................................................................................... 55 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 56 APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... 60 APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN ....................................................................................... 60 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS ..................................................................... 66 APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE WITH THE CLASS TEACHERS ....... 77 Vlll LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1 Enrolment of the