Journal of Early Childhood and Primary Education

STRATEGIES FOR HELPING CHILDREN UNDERSTAND MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS

2020-10-26T13:03:05+01:00

This study investigated the strategies for promoting primary school pupilsâ€™ understanding of mathematical concepts in Onitsha south local government Area, Anambra state. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Two research questions guided the study. The population consists of 1,105 primary school teachers with a sample of 100 teachers drawn using simple random sampling technique. A 20 item Questionnaire titled â€œStrategies for Promoting Primary School Pupilsâ€™ Understanding of Mathematical Concepts Questionnaire (SPPSPUMCQ) was used to collect the data. The instrument was validated by 3 research experts. The data collected were analyzed using mean. A gross reliability coefficient of 0.75 was obtained using Cronbach-Alpha method. Result showed that lack of adequate textbooks, instructional materials and parental support are the factors that hinder pupilsâ€™ understanding of mathematical concepts. The study therefore recommended among others that Mathematics should be taught by specialized teachers, Parents should endeavour to give full support to pupilsâ€™ mathematics learning, adequate textbooks and instructional materials should be provided for the pupilsâ€™ teaching and learning of mathematics.

EFFECT OF RECIPROCAL PEER TUTORING ON READING ACHIEVEMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN AWKA SOUTH METROPOLIS

2020-10-26T12:47:43+01:00

Observations and experiences by researchers in Nigeria have shown that pupils lack reading and comprehension skills and as a result, perform poorly in reading comprehension. There is, therefore, the need for instructional approach that make children strategic readers. This study investigated the effect of reciprocal peer tutoring on reading achievement of primary school pupils in Awka Metropolis in Awka South Local Government Area. Three research questions guided the study. Two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design specifically the pre-test, post-test design. The population comprised 3,419 primary five pupils in Awka metropolis and 65 pupils selected from schools that use Macmillan English who participated in the study formed the sample. Reading Achievement Test (RAT) was used as an instrument for data collection. The reliability coefficient for RAT using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 was 0.89. Pupils in the experimental group were taught reading using reciprocal peer tutoring while those in the control group were taught reading using conventional method which is lecture method. Data collected were analysed using mean scores for research questions and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) for testing the hypotheses. Major findings revealed that pupils taught reading with Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT) performed significantly better than those taught with conventional method. There was no significant difference in the performance of male and female pupils taught reading with RPT. Based on the findings, it was recommended that RPT should be adopted by teachers for teaching English comprehension in the primary schools. Workshop and conferences on the use of reciprocal peer tutoring in teaching and learning of reading should be organized for teachers by school authorities and educational administrators at least annually.

EXTENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AWARENESS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS PROHIBITION (VAPP) LAW IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ORUMBA SOUTH LGA OF ANAMBRA STATE

2020-10-26T12:38:06+01:00

The study was on the extent of early childhood educatorsâ€™ awareness of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in public primary schools in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State. Three research questions guided the study. The research adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all the 110 early childhood educators in public primary schools in Orumba South Local Government Area. The entire population was used because it is not too large. The instrument for data collection was a 16 item structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled â€œEarly Childhood Educatorsâ€™ Awareness of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law Questionnaire (ECEAVAPPLQ)â€. The Instrument was face validated by three experts. To establish the reliability of the instrument, Cronbach Alpha was used and a reliability coefficient of 0.73, 0.75 and 0.78 was obtained for the three clusters with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.76 obtained for the entire instrument. Data collected were analyzed using the mean score. The findings showed that the extent to which early childhood educators are aware of and implement Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in public primary schools in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State were to a low extent. Findings also revealed that lack of awareness/enlightenment campaign and non-inclusion of teachers in workshops, seminars on VAPP Laws among others were the factors that hinder early childhood educatorsâ€™ awareness of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in public primary schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that government should organize public enlightenment campaigns to educated the teachers and the public on the existence and scope of the VAPP law and government should organize seminars, workshop for teachers and other stakeholders on the VAPP law.

FOSTERING TEACHER-PUPIL RELATIONSHIP FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ORUMBA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

2020-10-26T12:28:56+01:00

This study focused on ways teachers can foster positive teacher-pupil relationships in public primary schools in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The study was guided by one research question. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised of 503 public primary school teachers in 53 public primary schools in Orumba North LGA. Proportionate stratified sampling was used in selecting 100 teachers from the population. Simple random sampling was used to select 20 schools. A 20 item structured questionnaire titled Teacher-Pupil Relationship Questionnaire (TPRQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to face validation by three experts. A reliability co-efficient of 0.82 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The findings of this study revealed some of teachersâ€™ characteristics that can foster positive relationships with pupils to include having patience with pupils, giving individualized attention to pupils, encouraging pupils to ask questions in the classroom among others. The researchers recommended among others that all the stakeholders in the educational system- the teachers, educational managers, policy makers should give a priority attention to positive teacher-pupil relationship as it plays a pivotal role in the teaching and learning process.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN AWKA SOUTH L.G.A

2020-10-26T12:22:35+01:00

This study dwells on school environment and its influence on education of children with learning disabilities in Awka South L.G.A. The study adopted a survey design and was guided by two research questions. The population of the study comprise of 665 public primary school teachers among the 45 public primary schools in Awka South L.G.A. The study adopted simple random sampling for this study. The researchers used balloting without replacement to select 15 public primary schools in Awka South L.G.A. Among these selected schools, the researchers selected 8 teachers from each of the selected schools giving a total of 120 primary school teachers. The instrument for the study was questionnaire drafted by the researchers with 24 items and titled School Environment and its Influence on Education of Children with Learning Disability (SEIECLD). The instrument was validated by three experts and later subjected to test on 15 primary school teachers in Awka North. Cronbach Alpha was used to compute score on this and a reliability value of 0.72 proved the reliability of the instrument. Mean was used to analyze the data collected. Findings from the study reveals among others that the school environment really has an influence on the education of the learning disabled child. Non availability of meaningful toys, and books coupled with location of the school and overgrown bushes, lack of functional ICT laboratory and other instructional materials such as insufficient whiteboards and play gadgets where challenges that influenced the education of the learning disabled child. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that both governmental and non-governmental agencies should also ensure that basic schools are stocked with needed educational materials needed for the academic needs of children with learning disabilities.

USE OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) FOR ENSURING QUALITY LEARNING AND INTERNAL POLICING IN EARLY YEARS CENTERS

2020-10-26T11:21:41+01:00

This study examined the use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance cameras for ensuring quality learning and internal policing in early years centers in Delta State. The study was piloted by three research questions which were answered and two hypotheses which were tested at a level of significance of 0.05. The study was a descriptive survey had a population of six hundred and eighty-eight (688) Private Early Childhood Care Centers spread across the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State. A total of 79 Caregivers and 60 Attendants were selected and used for the study through a purposive random sampling method. The structured questionnaire for data collection titled; â€˜Impact of Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Camera in Monitoring and Ensuring Quality Care-givingâ€™(ICCTSCMEQCG) was validated prior to its use by two Chief Lecturers in Measurement and Evaluation, College of Education, Agbor and another Chief Lecturer from the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The study questionnaire had its reliability determined at a coefficient of 0.84, using Cronbach Alpha reliability test and was personally administered to the sample with 95% retrieval rate. The mean and standard deviation statistical techniques were used to answer the two research questions, while t-test was used to test the stated null hypotheses. Study results revealed that there are great impact if Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance camera is used for ensuring quality learning and internal policing in early years centers, amongst others, Care giving will be done at the best when caregivers and attendants are aware of being watched by the installed closed circuit television cameras. Also pupils learning activities are easily monitored on playback from the recorded tape of the camera system. Flowing from the findings, it was recommended that public early childhood care centres should key-in into the technology drive of the use of closed circuit television surveillance cameras for ensuring quality learning and internal policing early yearsâ€™ centres.

EXTENT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF LITERACY FACILITIES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING AMONG PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN UMUAHIA NORTH LGA OF ABIA STATE

2020-10-26T11:08:47+01:00

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of availability and utilization of literacy facilities in teaching and learning among public primary schools in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State. The study was guided by five research questions and one hypothesis. The study adopted a survey design. The population of the study comprised of 694 public primary school teachers in the 45 public primary schools in Umuahia North L.G.A. Through simple random sampling techniques by balloting without replacement, 15 schools were selected out of the 45 public primary schools. The researchers also used simple random sampling techniques to sample 13 teachers from each of the 15 schools selected giving a total of 195 teacher respondents. The instrument for data collection was a 22-item structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled â€œAvailability and Utilization of Literacy Facilities in Public Primary Schools Questionnaire (AULFPPSQ)â€. The instrument was validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a reliability index of 0.76, 0.74, 0.78, 0.70, and 0.81 for the five clusters with an overall reliability of 0.75. The data was analyzed using mean scores. The findings from the study revealed that many literacy facilities ranging from audio, visual and audio-visuals were absent in public primary schools. Mostly available were visual facilities often used by teachers. The non-availability of these materials were due to lack of funds for purchase, location of some schools and activities of robbers in schools. Based on these findings, it was recommended that federal and state government should provide literacy facilities to public primary schools to enhance teaching and learning. It was also recommended that government should employ good security outfit to counter activities of robbers invading schools located in rural areas.

HOME-SCHOOL COLLABORATION STRATEGY FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING IN PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN AWKA SOUTH LGA OF ANAMBRA STATE

2020-10-26T08:56:12+01:00

This study examined home-school collaboration: strategies for effective learning in pre-primary and primary schools in Awka South LGA of Anambra state. The study was guided by two research questions. It adopted descriptive survey research design. The population comprised of 3783 pre-primary and primary school parents in Awka South L.G.A. Simple random sampling was employed to select 40 pre-primary school parents and 110 primary school parents from 15 pre-primary and primary school selected for this study, making a total of 150 parents selected for the study. Instrument for data collection in this study was a structured questionnaire with 17 items titled â€˜Home-School Collaboration Questionnaireâ€™ (HSCQ) for parents. The instrument was validated by three experts. Cronbach Alpha was to determine the reliability of the instrument and the overall reliability of 0.71 was obtained. Mean was used to analyze the research questions. The findings from the study revealed that Home-school collaboration through homework completion, teaches pupils to work independently and develop self-discipline among others are ways parents involve themselves in the education of their children in pre- primary and primary schools. Findings also revealed that project enhances learning among pupils and that project based learning provides pupils with opportunities to drive home their own learning among others are the strategies parents and teachers use for effective learning in pre-primary and primary schools. Based on the above findings, it was recommended among others that school heads should encourage home-school collaboration in pre-primary, primary schools to give parents opportunities to contribute to the education of their children.

PRINCIPALS APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL SECURITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR CURBING SECURITY THREATS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

2020-10-26T08:01:20+01:00

The study determined principalsâ€™ application of technological security management practices for curbing security threats in secondary schools in Anambra State. One research question guided the study and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study was a descriptive survey. The population of the study comprised 258 principals in public secondary schools in Anambra State. A validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was tested Cronbach Alpha reliability method which yielded a score of 0.72 for internal consistency and was deemed high for the study. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive mean, standard deviation and t-test. The mean value was used to answer the research question while the standard deviation was used to ascertain the homogeneity or otherwise of the respondentsâ€™ ratings. The null hypothesis was tested with t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that principals utilized technological security management practices for curbing security threats in secondary schools in Anambra State at a very low extent. It was also revealed that male and female principals in rural and urban public secondary schools did not differ in their opinion on the extent they apply technological security management practices in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made among others, that principals of public secondary schools should improve their knowledge on technological security management tools and gadgets by purchasing books, school security manuals and security journals among others. It was also recommended that the Federal and the State Government through the federal and state ministries of education and the Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC) should make available funding for the purchase and installation of technological security gadgets in the federal and state government owned schools.

ROLE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN IMPROVING PUPILS WITH DYSLEXIA IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN EKWUSIGO LGA OF ANAMBRA STATE

2020-10-26T07:36:09+01:00

The study was conducted to determine the role of instructional materials in improving pupils with dyslexia in public primary schools in Ekwusigo L.G.A of Anambra state. Two research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted to carry out the study. The population of the study consisted of 235 public primary school teachers from 38 public schools in Ekwusigo L.G.A. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 public primary school teachers from 10 schools randomly selected from the 38 public primary schools in the study area. The instrument used for data collection was a 17 item structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled â€œInstructional Materials for Improving Pupils with Dyslexia (IMIPD)â€. The instrument was validated by three experts. Cronbach Alpha was to determine the reliability of the instrument and the overall reliability of 0.70 was obtained. Mean was used for data analysis. The findings, among others, revealed that instructional materials help dyslexic pupils to develop interest and participate in activities, improve understanding and retention. The findings also revealed that lack of fund to make purchase, inability of teacher to improvise and make suitable selection of instructional materials among others are factors that are against the use of instructional materials in improving dyslexic pupils. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that teachers should always use suitable instructional materials that address the need of dyslexic children while teaching and state government and school authority should aid in providing instructional materials in schools.