Thesis:

The effect of devolution on the performance of early childhood development education in Wajir south sub-county

Constitution of Kenya2010 through Schedule Four herald in devolution that transferred early childhood development education (ECDE)to the county levels from the national government. The decentralization of the educational services meant domestication of investment decisions on human capital, infrastructure and school meal programs to the devolved administrative units with the aim of improving accessibility and quality of educational services to the local citizens. However, there are limited empirical studies elucidating how the devolution of pre-primary education has impacted the sector. Therefore, the study was steered by three objectives which were to: examine the effect of teacher employment on the performance of ECDE, to establish the effect of construction of classrooms on the performance of ECDE and determine the effect of school feeding programs on the performance of ECDE. The study is guided by two theories, i.e. the constructivist theory and the behaviorist theory. The mixed methodology approach that involves the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data was applied. The target population for the study was525, consisting of the teachers of the early childhood learners, head teachers, parents, county staff in the department of education, and local administrators. A sample size 232 was picked guided by Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews guides, and focus group discussions. The instruments were piloted in a ward in the neighboring Wajir Central Sub- County. The study utilized Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient for assessing the internal consistency of the research instruments to make judgment on their reliability. The findings are narratively reported, and a thematic analysis of the qualitative data hasbeen performed. Quantitative data is analyzed using inferential statistics specifically correlation and regression analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 28. The findings show that the employment of ECDE teachers by the County Government of Wajir has a significant and positive impact on performance outcomes in ECDE centers. Besides, employing more teachers is likely to contribute to better student-teacher ratios, improved learning environments, and enhanced student engagement, all of which are essential for academic success in ECDE programs. However, to fully maximize the benefits of teacher employment, complementary factors such as teacher training, provision of learning materials, and improved working conditions must be addressed. On the other hand ,the effect of construction of classrooms on the performance of early childhood development education in Wajir South sub-county revealed a counter-intuitive relationship between classroom construction and ECDE performance, with construction negatively affecting performance outcomes. While this result is significant and aligns with research that warns against overreliance on infrastructure improvements alone, it is also at odds with studies that highlight the long-term benefits of classroom construction. Lastly, the effects of school feeding programs on the performance of early childhood development education in Wajir South sub-county reveal a mixed impact of various factors on the performance of early childhood development education (ECDE) in Wajir South Sub-county . Specifically, the analysis indicates that ECDE teacher employment by the County Government of Wajir has a positive and significant effect on ECDE performance. This suggests that improvements in teacher employment contribute to higher performance outcomes across ECDE centers in the region, highlighting the importance of qualified teachers in enhancing educational quality. Conversely, the construction of ECDE classrooms by the County Government of Wajir showed a negative effect on performance. This indicates that an increase in classroom construction was associated with a decline in performance. The study recommends that the County Government of Wajir should prioritize the recruitment of additional ECDE teachers to improve the student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and better learning outcomes. This should be done with a focus on sustained teacher engagement to ensure continued improvement in performance