Abstract:
This study was carried out to appraise the implementation of the National Blue Print on Pre-primary Education in Aba Education Zone of Abia State. The population of the study was 1,245 respondents comprising of 422 Head teachers and 823 teachers from 422 pre-primary schools in the zone. The sample size was 300 respondents made up of 100 Head teachers and 200 teachers. Eight research questions were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The instruments for data collection were a 70 item checklist used to elicit information on availability and non availability of the items listed and a 70 item structured questionnaire modeled on a four (4) point rating scale. The response options for the items were – Very Great Extent (VGE), Great Extent (GE) Little Extent (LE) and Very Little Extent (VLE). The instrument was face validated by three experts, one in Childhood Education, Educational Psychology and Measurement and Evaluation respectively all in the Faculty of Education. Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire items. The reliability index was 0.84. Data was analyzed using percentages, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that record books are available and are being utilized. This shows the implementation of the National Blue Print on Records in the Zone is implemented. On furniture and environmental sanitation materials/facilities, there is almost non implementation of the Blue Print because of non availability of the materials. Instructional materials are available to varying percentages and the available ones are utilized to a great extent. This shows adherence to the implementation too. It was recommended, amongst others, that the Government should provide those materials that are not available and provide vehicles for proper external supervision in schools. Also, seminars/workshops should be organized to up date teachers knowledge on the proper utilization and implementation of the available materials/facilities. Parents Teachers Association can help their schools by providing some of the materials listed in the Blue Print.
