Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess determinants influencing learners’ transition
from Pre-primary to grade one in Narok County. The study was guided by the
following objectives: to assess teachers ‘involvement in handling learners’ transition,
to examine the roles played by the school management and interrogate the adequacy
of the available physical facilities. Bronfenbrenner‘s Ecological Systems theory
(1979)guided the study which postulates that children‘s transition from one class
level to another is dependent upon certain factors found within their environment.
Descriptive research design was adopted in the study Narok County has 67 public
and 34 private primary schools with Pre-primary schools attached to them. Random
and Stratified sampling techniques were used to get a representation of private and
public schools. A sample size of 18 public schools and 9 private schools. Four headteachers and Four BOM chairpersons were selected through purposive. Random
sampling technique was used to select, four Pre-primary school teachers and four
grade one teachers from each of the selected schools. Questionnaires were used for
the grade one and Pre-primary teachers and structured interview schedules for the
BOM chair-persons and the head-teachers. Professional records were checked by
document analysis to ascertain whether the sampled schools met the objectives of the
study. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. The findings showed
that the school management played its roles well but more has to be done on
graduation days for the children completing the Pre-primary school level. Disparities
were evident in the provision of furniture and teaching approaches used by teachers
at the two class levels. The recommendations included: Ministry of Education should
provide more funds to establish enough physical facilities in all schools and teachers
need workshops and refresher courses to enable them understand the strategies
appropriate for enhancing a smooth transition for learners from pre-primary to
grade one.
