The Enrolment Trends of Teacher Trainees in ECDE Colleges in Keiyo North and South Sub-Counties

Abstract

There is a continuous documented trend of low enrolments of teacher trainees in the Early Childhood Education Colleges in Kenya and these low enrolments continue to increase with the years. The purpose of the study was to investigate the enrolment trends of teacher trainees in ECDE colleges in Keiyo North and South Sub-Counties. Though the Government through the Ministry of Education has invested immensely in the schools’ infrastructure, a huge gap hinders access, transition and gender parity. Looking on the situation on the ground, the number of female teachers in ECDE compared to male counterparts justifies the undertaking of this study. Hence, the study assessed the gender imbalances on enrolment of teacher trainees in ECDE colleges in Keiyo North and South Sub-Counties, Kenya. The study theory was top-down and bottom-up. The study employed the descriptive survey research design and targeted the nine ECDE Teachers' colleges in the Sub-Counties with 513 trainees and 9 Principals of the respective colleges. All the trainees and principals purposively selected to form the sample. The researcher utilized a questionnaire for the trainees to obtain primary data. Document analysis guide for the principals used to obtain secondary data on enrolment. Frequency tables, percentages, graphs and charts were the data analysis tools used. The study findings reveal that, out of the eight colleges, five colleges exhibited an upward trend while only three colleges exhibited a downward trend in general students’ enrolment across the study period. Most colleges registered the highest enrolments in the year 2018 and lowest in the year 2008. Male trainees in ECDE constitute the lowest number of teachers in teacher training colleges in Kenya. Low proportion of male youth educators in ECDE is due to; social convictions and biases; low status and low pay occupation. In conclusion, virtual learning in colleges in Keiyo North and South sub-counties improved student enrollment in 37.5% of the colleges as it catered for working students. Gender disparity issues addressed through training opportunities and timely awareness on the importance of ECDE course. The community viewed ECDE training as career for women, the Keiyo culture views man as a person to provide guidance to grown up teenagers and not small kids. The enabling condition useful in influencing gender balance in teacher enrollment and training in ECDE were: formulation and implementation of relevant policies; creation of an incentive such as fee waivers; guaranteed job opportunities after completion of college studies; provision of free housing to the trainees and good remuneration. The study recommends that colleges in Keiyo North and South sub counties should adopt the use of Information Communication Technology and Virtual Learning in order to improve enrollment trends in ECDE colleges.