Publication: Influence of school environmental factors on learners’ literacy in public pre–primary ii in Webuye west sub - county, Kenya
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2022-10
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Learning standards and best achievement in learning areas rely on the ability of the learners to read
and master other literacy skills such as writing and working out numerals. Failure to acquire these
skills in good time builds a weak foundation for learners which leads to low performance. In this
study, the researcher aimed at investigating the “Influence of school environmental factors on
learners’ literacy in public pre-primary II in Webuye West sub- County, Kenya. The study was
guided by the following objectives: to determine the influence of physical facilities on learner’s
literacy in public pre-primary II; to find out the influence of instructional materials on literacy
achievement in public pre-primary II; to investigate the influence of teacher-learner interactions
on learners’ literacy in public pre-primary II, and to assess the influence of school culture on
learner’s literacy in public pre-primary II in Webuye West Sub-County. The study used descriptive
survey research design that employed cross-sectional survey research design and mixed method in
data collection. The study targeted 3216 respondents. 2997 pre-primary II learners, 109 pre-
primary II teachers, 55 head teachers and 55 deputies from 55 public primary schools in Webuye
West Sub-County. The selected sample size was 523. These included 48 head teachers, 48 deputy
head teachers, 86 pre-primary II teachers, and 341 pre-primary II learners drawn from the four
wards that make up Webuye West Sub-County. The study used stratified sampling technique to
categorize schools into wards that make up Webuye West Sub County. Simple random sampling
was used to sample head teachers, deputy head teachers and pre-primary II teachers. To select pre-
primary II learners in their respective schools, the researcher used simple random sampling. The
researcher used Likert scale questionnaire to gather information from pre-primary II educators and
deputy head teachers. Interview schedule was only used in the collection of data from the head
teachers. Data from Pre-primary II learners was collected using observation schedule. Piloting was
conducted in the neighboring Sub-County. Its main aim was to determine validity and reliability
of the data collection instruments. The researcher used pre-test to check validity and re-test method
to ascertain reliability of the instruments and Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha Index was obtained.
Research instruments were validated by Mount Kenya University Research experts. Descriptive
Statistics which comprise of percentages, standard deviation, frequencies and means was done and
presented in form of tables. The study found out that the school environmental factors were critical
in influencing learners’ literacy in public pre-primary II in Webuye West Sub-County. In regard
to this, the study recommends that, National and County governments should join together to
improve on physical and literacy facilities to enhance effective teaching-learning process. The
study further recommends that the county government should provide moderate teacher-learner
ratio, enough instructional materials and follow available policies on providing pre-primary
teaching and learning. Teachers Service Commission in collaboration with Kenya Institute of
Curriculum Development should always supervise activities in pre-primary schools.
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Keywords
Learning, standards, teacher-learner, pre-primary