FACTORS THAT HINDER MALES FROM TEACHING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION (ECDE) CLASSES IN EASTERN ZONE OF NAKURU MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

There has been a steady increase of male teachers training in ECDE courses over the school holidays. However even after graduating these male teachers do not take up the ECDE classes to teach. Therefore this necessitated this study that sought to find out the factors that hinder male teachers from teaching ECDE classes. Literature review shows that the ECDE teaching has all along been seen as a feminine job. It has been perceived as an extension of the female role of giving birth and taking care of the young children. This negative perception has discouraged male teachers even after training in ECDE certificates from teaching in these classes. The research design adapted for this study was a mixed research methods approach. Simple random sampling was used to sample the participants. Questionnaires were then used to collect data. The findings showed that negative attitude among male teachers towards the very young children and the activities done in ECDE classes which are viewed as childish; discourage male teachers from teaching these classes. The society also has a low opinion over teachers who handle ECDE classes. The study recommended that male teachers should to be guided and counseled on the importance of their teaching in ECDE classes as well as the critical role they would play in modeling the character of specifically the boy child.