Relationship between Teachers’ Attitudes and Utilization of Instructional Materials in Pre-Primary Schools in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to establish whether there was a significant relationship between teachers’ attitudes and levels of utilization of instructional materials (IM) in Pre-Primary Schools in Kenya. The study adopted the Ecological Systems Theory by Urie Bronfenbrenner. The study used a cross-sectional survey research design and data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. A sample of 164 teachers comprising of 76.2% females and 23.8% males participated in the study. Results established that 86.4% of the teachers had positive attitudes towards the instructional practice. In terms of utilization of instructional materials, the researchers determined that 62.1% of the respondents achieved high levels while 37.9% attained low levels of utilization of instructional materials across the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) activity areas. The Chi-Square results revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between teachers’ attitudes and utilization of instructional materials (χ2 = 4.094; d.f.= 2; p = 0.043). Further analysis using the regression test revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between teachers’ positive attitudes and levels of utilization of instructional materials (β =0.516; p = 0.001). These findings established that teachers who had positive attitudes attained higher levels of utilization of instructional materials in their classrooms compared to their counterparts who had negative attitudes. Therefore, it was concluded that teachers’ attitudes were a significant factor in promoting the utilization of instructional materials in ECDE activities. This implies that a positive attitude is an important attribute of a pre-primary school teacher. Therefore, there is a need to inculcate positive attitudes towards the utilization of instructional materials among teachers during pre-service and in-service training sessions to promote the best practices in instruction at the pre-primary school level.

Teachers’ Attitude in Implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum in Primary Schools in Kericho County

“…Therefore, it is important for teachers and learners to have a positive attitude to enhance performance. It also concurs with the study done by Waigera et al (2020) on the relationship between teacher's attitude and instructional utilisation in pre-primary schools in Kenya. This study revealed that Teachers' attitudes contribute a lot to the implementation of competence-based curriculum, such that the more positive teachers they are, the more successful competence-based curriculum implementation.…”

“…This study pointed out that teachers should be allowed to engage extensively in the curriculum formulation process and/or revision. Waigera, Mweru and Ngige (2020) carried out a study on the relationship between the attitude of teachers and the utilisation of instructional materials in pre-primary schools in Kenya. The results of this research indicated that teachers with positive attitudes achieved greater levels of instructional content application in their classes relative to their peers who had negative attitudes.…”

Utilization of Visual and Realia Instructional Materials in Enhancing Acquisition of Pre-Reading Skills Among Preschool Learners in Narok County, Kenya

“…They enable the learner to cognitively connect the realia with the arbitrary words in texts. Children are equipped with problem-solving skills that are important for daily living (Waigera, 2013). Despite many studies on the use of instructional materials in pre-primary schools, various types of Early Childhood Education (ECD) interventions like the provision of learning resources enhance school readiness and related educational outcomes (Nores and Barnett, 2010).…”

“…A model or mock-up can be looked at from all sides as it has breadth, length, and depth. Waigera, J. (2013) notes that models are representations of real things that are infinitely large, like the earth or solar system, or real things that are small, whether animate or inanimate.…”