ASSESSMENT OF GENDER IMBALANCES ON ENROLMENT OF TEACHER TRAINEES IN ECDE COLLEGES IN KEIYO NORTH AND SOUTH SUB-COUNTIES, ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Attainment of gender equity and equality in education is a core development issue and a goal in its own right. In Kenya today, there is an increase in the number of men enrolling in ECDE diploma and certificate programs in Kenya. Majority of these men are interested in ECDE as administrators, and not as child care givers. This study’s main purpose is to investigate gender imbalances on enrolment of teacher trainees in ECDE colleges in Keiyo North and Keiyo South Sub-Counties, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The following objectives guided the study: to determine the enrolment trends of teacher trainees in ECDE colleges in Keiyo North and South sub-Counties; to establish the effects of gender imbalances in education on enrolment of teacher trainees in ECDE colleges in Keiyo North and South sub-Counties; to evaluate the role of culture on enrolment of teacher trainees in ECDE colleges in Keiyo North and South Sub-Counties and to determine enabling conditions useful in influencing gender balance on enrolment of teacher trainees in ECDE. The study adopted general systems theory and employed a descriptive research design. The study targeted nine training colleges in the two Sub-Counties of Keiyo North and South and five hundred and thirteen trainees and nine Principals of the said colleges. The sample size was 513. The study adopted a stratified and purposive sampling. The researcher utilized two instruments to obtain data from the respondents. Questionnaire was used to obtain information from trainees and document analysis for the principals. Data collection instruments were piloted upon approval from the supervisors. Validity was sought through the assistance from the experts in the school of Education. The study collected quantitative data and SPSS version 25 was utilized for data analysis. In order to answer the study questions, the respondents perceptions on subjects mentioned in the questionnaire were interpreted using frequencies and percentages. The data was presented inform of tables and graphs. The study findings revealed 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. The study established that low proportion of male youth educators in ECDE is due to; social convictions and biases and low status and low pay of the occupation. In conclusion, virtual learning in colleges in Keiyo North and South sub-Counties improved student enrolment in 37.5% of the colleges as it catered for working students. In light of the findings, the study recommends that teacher educators should improve their efforts to educate career counselors and guidance professionals on ECDE, men should be recruited in sufficient numbers to constitute a critical mass in ECDE initiatives, teacher educators should review the setting of their courses, career instructors should be introduced for young care givers working with young children, male teachers in ECDE programs should be welcomed by preschool directors, Men should be encouraged to apply for pre-school teaching roles because of the profession’s low standing and gender issues in the workplace.