Assessment of Stakeholders’ Awareness and Implementation of the Early Childhood Education National Curriculum in Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

The study assessed the stakeholders’ awareness and implementation 
of the Early Childhood Education National Curriculum in Ilorin 
Metropolis, Kwara State. Research and reports showed that the first 
six years of life are critical period of growth and development that 
form the foundations for achievement in life. Hence, the need for an 
integrated and holistic Early Childhood Development curriculum that 
guarantees best care and support to young children. The study 
adopted the descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling 
technique was used to select thirty public primary schools within Ilorin 
metropolis. The samples comprised of thirty teachers/caregivers, thirty 
head- teachers and twelve local government education inspectors. 
Three self- developed questionnaire tagged ‘teacher/caregivers 
awareness and implementation of ECE curriculum’ (TAIEC): ‘Head 
teacher awareness and implementation of ECE curriculum’ (HAIEC) 
and education officer awareness and implementation of the ECE 
curriculum questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using 
percentage, mean and standard deviation. The result showed low level 
of awareness of the ECE national curriculum by all stakeholders (< 2.50). Some of the problems facing the implementation of the ECE 
curriculum were also identified to include lack of funding, inadequate 
teaching and learning materials. The study recommended among 
others the awareness campaign by the government on the national 
ECE curriculum, workshop for stakeholders on how to implement the 
curriculum effectively. Caregivers were also advised to seek for 
knowledge on ECE and how to improvise teaching and learning 
materials rather than depending on government.