The role of pre-primary education in holistic child development: the case of Hai District

This study investigated the extent to which pre-primary schools provide a supportive learning environment. The investigation focused on the availability of teaching and learning materials, the qualification and experience of teachers, playing facilities and knowledge and involvement of parents in the provision of their children’s education. The study was conducted in Hai District in Kilimanjaro Region. The sample of the study involved 62 respondents, DED, DEO, and three (3) others from each preschool. The study adopted the case study design using the qualitative approach. The instruments used were interviews, checklist, observations and documentary review. The study established that, most of these preschools have inadequate teaching and learning materials, poor trained teachers to equip them with teaching methodologies for preschool, inadequate playing facilities and poor parental involvement in matters related to the provision of their children’s education. Overall the study findings reveal that the Government has not fulfilled its obligation of supporting preschools through Capitation and Development Grants in line with its stated objectives . The study concluded that inadequate teaching and learning materials coupled with poorly trained teachers, inadequate playing facilities and poor parental involvement hamper the development and efficiency of these preschools. In the light of the findings, it is recommended that, the Government, and other Stakeholders have to support financially the preschools. Furthermore, parents should be involved fully in matters relating to their children’s education and teachers should be exposed to training which will equip them with the necessary skills.