Determinants influencing learners’ transition from Pre-primary to Grade one in Primary Schools of Narok county

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.