Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By
NDIRANGU ZACHARIA KAHARI
ADMISSION NUMBER
024
DECLARATION
I declare that this research project is my original work and has not been presented for an award in
any other institution.
Sign:..Date:..
Ndirangu Zacharia Kahari
Index No:
This research project has been submitted for examination with our approval as Foundation
institute of Africa college Supervisors.
Sign:.Date:.
David Maina Kamau
Lecturer
Foundation institute of Africa
Sign:.Date:.
David Kuria Nganga
Lecturer
Foundation Institute of Africa
DEDICATION
This research project is dedicated to my dear wife and my family members for their support and
inspiration during my studies.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to extend my gratitude to my college supervisors who have worked hard to see me
succeed in carrying out this project. Special thanks to the college administration for their effort in
creating a good learning atmosphere during my studies. To all my college mates who together we
encouraged each other throughout the study.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 4.1: children from separated families
Figure 4.2.0 Gender of children from separated families
Figure 4.2.1 Gender
Figure 4.3 Relationships between family separation and childrens academic performance
Figure 4.4 How children from separated families socialize with other children
Figure 4.5 Investigating school attendances of children from separated families
Figure 4.6: causes of single parenthood
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Presence of children from separated families
Table 4.2 Gender of children from separated families
Table 4.3 Relationship between family separation and children learning
Table 4.4 How children from separated families socialize with others
Table 4.5 Investigating children attendance of children from separated families
Table 4.6 Causes of single parenthood
ABSTRACT
This research is on the effects of family separation on learning in ECDE children aged 4 to 5
years. The area of study will be in Githobokoni zone, Mangu division, Gatundu North District
of Kiambu County. To collect the required information, the researcher will use questionnaire for
teachers and parents and interviews schedules for the children. The researcher intends to find out
whether academic performance of children from separated families is poor as compared to that of
children from cooperative families. Findings elsewhere suggest that children from troubled
families perform poorly in school. Entering preschool is a major step in the learning journey of a
child. A preschool is the first formal academic education setting and the experience the child
goes through determines their learning in later stages. If the transition to preschool is positive, it
becomes the model for future transitions. Successful transition is dependent of a number of
factors. The main ones are the presence of book, television, and assistance by the parent. Parents
should not only focus on teaching children manners but also should spare some time to assist
them in their formal education. Extra by parents held children successfully navigate changes that
occur in the first few years of the life of a child. In a society, a child is expected to behave in a
certain manner and perform certain roles other than undergoing formal education. Parents guide
their children live according to expectations, perform their roles, and achieve education target. If
the transition is successful, the children develop a healthy sense of identity within the community
in the short and long term. The most important step in the life of children is graduating from
kindergarten and primary school. The transition process could also be cultural rite of passage.
This research paper discusses some of the factors that hinder the transition process.
ECDE:
ECD:
M.O.E:
Ministry of Education
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The chapter focuses on background of the study, the statement of the problem, purpose of the
study, the research objectives, significance of the study, scope, and limitation of study and
operational terms used in this project work.
According to estimates, access to ECDE services is low at 50%. The national target is to raise
access to 80% by year 2015. The ministry of education, working together with partners, is
committed to increase to quality ECDE services (ministry education, 2007). The ministry says
that there are parents who neglect their children physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The
neglecting parent fails to meet the childs needs or have control of his or her children. In this
regard, the researcher intends to carry out research on the effect of family separation on ECDE.
Counseling psychologists advice that a child who is exposed to an abusive family environment is
likely to grow up to be an abuser. This is because, home is a learning environment and childrens
altitude to and about life stems from what they see their parents doings.
No nation can afford to waste its national resources or education of its people, but that is what is
happening where children fail to achieve their full academic potentiality. Conducive home
environment where the father and mother live in harmony provides the initial learning of the
child. Effects of family separation on Early Childhood Development Education can be
devastating in their performance.
The researcher in Githobokoni zone, Gachege Sub-location, Mangu Division, Gatundu North
District, Kiambu County, therefore sets out to find out these effects. It has 44 schools, 19 public
schools and 25 private schools with enrollment of 22,624 pupils.
The performance of pupils is good as many schools are able to attain 250 marks mean score in all
classes on exams prepared locally and in the KCPE. The area of study is also affected by many
separations, where children are left with single parent or left under the care of their grandparents.
Many of these separations are caused by:
Poverty -where the man is unable to provide for the family hence the wife runs away.
Death of a parent
10
Many of these separations makes the children to be moved from their schools to others areas they
are not used to. Sometimes they are not enrolled to any school.
In some instances, they are kept at homes waiting for the parents to resolve their disputes, which
may take a longer time than anticipated, hence children missing classes. With all the above stated
adversaries, the performance of the said group of children may be affected in one way or another.
The researcher therefore wants to find out the effects of family separation on ECDE children
performance.
Attles (1997) focus on different variables that may affect student academic achievement. Such
factors include gender, socioeconomic status, and family type. Their research stated two different
viewpoints, focusing on the impact of fathers in a household.
Anguiano & California (2008) developed a cross-cultural study where he found that
socioeconomic backgrounds are another issue that affects academic achievement of children. In
a single parent family, only one income is being gathered. This limits families with the resources
and support that children need at home and in school.
Parental involvement is one of the major issues that affect academic achievement. If parents are
not capable of providing time for their children, the lives of the children will be affected. Parents
should not only be involved at home, but in school as well. The National Center for Education
Statistics (1997) reported that children from grades 6 through 12 earned As if their parents were
involved in school activities Lam (1997).
Marjoribanks (2002) researched the Family-School Research Project which is designed to
determine any patterns that are evident between the life of a child at home and their successes in
school. Marjoribanks (2002) also goes on to mention the factor of parental support as an affect
of student academic achievement.
11
Marjoribanks (2002) mentions a few different issues that need to be considered when discussing
single parent families. Parental support and economic hardship are amongst the several factors
of academic achievement. The article also mentions discipline issues. Single parents are not
able to set ground rules for their children, so expectations cannot be set in the household.
Marzano & Marzano (2004) focus on how family structure affects achievement. The main part
of their research is that parental expectations of their children were the predictor of how their
children performed academically. If parents established high expectations for their children, then
they would perform well in school. If no expectations were set, students performed poorly and
became stressed.
Michael (2005) takes another approach where remarriage and reconstructed families are
considered. In a reconstructed family, parents were separated/divorced and the parents remarried
someone else. This may not benefit all children even though there is now a two-parent
household. There may be hatred and anger towards the new parent coming from the children.
An article found in One Parent Families Michael (2005) states that it is less desirable for
children to be brought up by one parent than two parents. This is a common statement amongst
many different researchers. The article focuses most importantly on why single parent families
affect academic achievement.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The researcher intends to carry out a research on the effects of family separation on learning in
ECDE children aged 4 5 years in Githobokoni zone, Gatundu North District, Kiambu
County.The research finding may help to find out solutions to the problems effecting academic
performance in ECDE children.
12
To establish whether there are ECDE children aged 4-5 years from separated families
in Githobokoni zone, Gachege Sub-location, Mangu Division, Gatundu North
to know of the existence of such children and develop positive attitudes towards children from
separated families.
1.7
Some teachers may be hesitant in giving the correct data of children from separated
families. Some also may have negative attitude towards the research.
The researcher might face some challenges such as people thinking that the research is to
be carried out and later be used to borrow money from donors and other non-governmental
organizations for individual gains.
Some teachers may fail to fill the questionnaires in good time, this may force the
misunderstanding.
The researcher has the knowledge and is familiar with the geographical site of the area.
14
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
The chapter focuses on literature review how one parent raises the children, why children area
affected by separation, problem children faces because of separation.
15
16
17
After separation, a single parent lacks time for children to monitor their performance. Without
involvement in their academic performance or work, the child loses focus in his or her academic
work. This translates into poor performance.
A single parent is unable to discipline their children effectively. This is largely due to declined
involvement or monitoring of the children. Indiscipline affects academic performance.
18
have a father, children develop low self-esteem. Consequently, they do not work hard enough or
engage in destructive behavior such as drug use or early sex.
Immature emotional response, regression, and neurotic behavior: this behavior is directly related
to psychological difficulties that accompany being brought up in a single parent home. To
compensate for the sense of worthlessness, children become neurotic and exhibit aggression and
immature behavior.
Demanding behavior, attention seeking, and inappropriate behavior towards non-parental adults:
this behavior is to poor self-image and mental health.
Withdrawn behavior, failure to make friends or sustain friendships: the children refuse to
socialize with others and withdraw.
Fear of new tasks not wanting to experiment or join in development and learning delays: this
happens because the child negatively affected psychologically and has low self-esteem.
2.4 The Effects Of Divorce on children
According to Mutie & Ndambuki (1999), guidance for schools and colleges divorce is not often
the great relief couples hope for the children who are caught in the crossfire are the most hurt
physically, emotionally and spiritually. The effects are common on children of all races.
Divorce represents the loss of many things to children. The following roles of fathers and
mothers may not be fulfilled in their lives of children from broken families.
Roles of a father
Roles of a mother
In addition to the loss of support children get from one parent during their upbringing, they also
face the following difficulties:
Bed wetting, nail biting stealing etc, which are often symptoms of a sense of insecurity, is
common.
20
They may lose faith in God who is seen as having allowed the breakdown.
21
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter will describe the research design, location of study, target of study, research
instruments and data collection.
3.0 Introduction
The study will investigate the effect of family separation in ECDE children aged 4-5 years in
ECDE centers in Githobokoni zone, Gachege Sub-location, Mangu Division, Gatundu North
District, Kiambu County.
The procedures to be used in the study are discussed. The study will describes research design,
study sampling procedures, target population sample method, location of the study, data analysis
and techniques.
3.1 Research Design
The researcher will use descriptive survey and aims at investigating the effects of family
separation on ECDE children's performance. The study will use qualitative and quantitative
methods, which will involve numbers and categorizing of data.
Survey design is the best because effects of family separation in ECDE children performance are
studied after occurrence and the effects are already experienced.
3.2 Location of the Study
The researcher intends to conduct research in seven public schools in Githobokoni zone,
Gachege Sub-location, Mangu Division, Gatundu North District, Kiambu County.
22
23
The data is presented through tables and descriptive statistics. Interpretation and analysis of data
is given. The general summary is arranged according to the order of objectives of the study.
4.2 Teachers Response
The questionnaire was investigating the presence of children from separate families in
Githobokoni Zone, Mangu Division, Gatundu North District of Kiambu County.
24
Gacheg
Kajab
Yes
No
Tota
e
2
Kaiber
Kamunyaka
Percentag
Ndik
Munyak
Kahat
Frequenc
o
7
a
2
a
2
y
20
100
20
100
central
25
During observation period, the researcher observed the presence of children aged 4-5 years
attending ECDE classes from separated families in Githobokoni Zone, Mangu Division,
Gatundu North District of Kiambu County.
26
Gacheg
Kajab
Kaiber
Kamunyaka
Ndik
Munyak
St. Gabriel
Frequenc
Percentag
Central
Kahata
Girls 2
11
55%
Boy
45%
s
Tota
20
100%
l
From the table, the researcher found out that family separation affects girls at 55% compared to
boys 45%.
27
28
6
5
4
3
2
29
Gender
Boys (45%)
Girls (55%)
30
Table 4.3 Relationship between family separation and childrens academic performance
School
Gacheg
Kajab
Kaiber
Kamunyaka
Ndik
Munyak
St.
Frequenc
Percentag
Central
Gabriel
Kahata
V. Good
Good
Average
Below
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
3
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
4
2
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
2
0
2
8
11
0
5
40
55
average
Total
21
100
From the observations made by the researcher, family separations affect the performance of
ECDE children aged 4 to 5 years. This is shown by having an occurrence of 55 per cent of
children being below average and only 5 per cent who are termed to be good.
31
Fig 4.3 Pie Chart showing Relationship between family separation and childrens academic
performance
32
V. Good (0%)
Good (5%)
Avarage (40%)
Below Avarage (55%)
The questions were investigating how children from separated families socialize with other
children
33
Table 4.4 table showing how children from separated families socialize with other children
School
Gacheg
Kajab
Kaiber
Kamunyaka
Ndik
Munyak
St.
Frequenc
Percentag
central
Gabriel
15
kahata
V.
Good
Good 1
1
1
0
3
0
1
7
35
Fair
0
3
1
1
4
1
0
10
50
Total 2
4
2
1
7
2
2
20
100
From the table above, the researcher was able to observe that some children from separated
families are able to socialize well with others having an occurrence of 15 percent while the
majority with an occurrence of 50 percent fairly socializes with other children.
34
Fig 4.4 Pie Chart showing how children from separated families socialize with other
children
V. Good (15%)
Good (35%)
Fair (50%)
35
Table 4.5 Table showing the Investigation of School Attendance of Children from
School
Gacheg
Kajab
Kaiber
Kamunyaka
Ndik
Munyak
St.
Frequenc
Percentag
Central
Gabriel
Regular
Irregula
0
4
0
3
0
1
0
6
0
2
2
1
0
1
2
18
10
90
r
Total
20
100
Kahata
The table reveals that children from separated families are irregular in school attendance with
prevalence of 90 per cent.
36
Fig 4.5 Pie Chart showing the Investigation of School Attendance of Children from
Separated families
Regular (10%)
Irregular (90%)
The question was investigating the main cause of these children being under the care of one
parent.
37
Gacheg
Kajab
Divorce
Death
Never
2
0
1
3
1
0
married
Total
Kaibere
Kamunyaka
Ndik
Munyak
St.
Frequenc
Percentag
Central
Gabriel
1
1
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
1
0
1
1
1
1
10
6
4
50
30
20
20
100
Kahata
The table reveals that the main cause of separation was divorce. Half of children from separated
families come from parents who have divorced.
38
Divorce (50%)
Death (30%)
Never Married (20%)
39
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction In Summery Form
This chapter consists of a brief summary of the whole research study, which relates to research
problem, research methodology, results, and major contributions.
5.1 Summary
The main reason the researcher decided to carry out study on this problem was to find out the
effects of family separation of ECDE children in relation to performance in Githobokoni Zone,
Gachege Sub-Location, Mangu Division, Gatundu North District of Kiambu County. The
researcher found out that all ECDE centres involved in the course of the study have 100%
occurrence of children from separated families. Majority of the children were boys with 55 per
40
cent and girls with 45 per cent. Most of the school visited for research purpose had a positive
response of having more than one case of such children in their classes and some having up to
seven cases. Children from separated families are affected physically, emotionally, spiritually
and socially. Children from separated families are sometimes forced to do tasks, which are not
theirs such as taking case of the siblings.
5.2 Conclusions
Separated families should avoid conflicts over their children visit to either of parent. They should
avoid questioning children about other spouses affairs. They should try not to lie to children
about their differences and involving children in their personal relationships.
5.3 Recommendations
The best solution would be for parents to resolve their differences and if this does not happen,
the following precautions should be taken to help the children.
patient
Children should be allowed to express their emotions through crying. It is a part a healing
They should be assured that they are not to blame for the divorce
Assign trustworthy adults, Sunday school teachers, relatives, or youth leader to play the
Anguiano, B. D., & California, S. B. (2008). Parent involvement and academic achievement
among language minority students in elementary school using structural equation
modeling. Santa Barbara, Calif.: University of California, Santa Barbara.
41
Attles, H. S. (1997). The effects of homelessness on the academic achievement of children. New
York: Garland Pub..
Dorothy, K. (Daily Nation June 3, 2009). Rising on your own
Lam, S. F. (1997). How the family influences children's academic achievement. New York:
Garland Publishing.
Marjoribanks, K. (2002). Family and school capital: towards a context theory of students' school
outcomes. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Marzano, R. J., & Marzano, R. J. (2004). Building background knowledge for academic
achievement: research on what works in schools. Alexandria, VA: Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Michael, D. B. (2005). Promising practices for family involvement in schooling across the
continents. Greenwich, Conn.: Information Age Pub..
Mutie, K. (2010). Guideline and Counseling for school and colleges: Nairobi: Oxford publishers
Ministry of Education. (2011). Community Support grant management hand book. Nairobi: KIE
Ministry of Education and Church World Services. (2008). school safety manual
Nancy, V. (2008). Training up a child. Nairobi: Oxford.
Wayne, P. (2012). Impact of divorce on children. New York: Prentice Hall
APPENDIX I
QUESTIONNAIRE
SECTION A: BIO DATA
Questionnaire to the teacher
Tick where possible.
1. Name (optional)
42
Gender
Male
Female
2. Are there children from separated families in your class?
Yes
No
3. If yes, how many are they?
Boys
Girls
Indicate the numbers
4. How is their academic performance?
Very good
Good
Fair
5. How do they relate with other children socially?
Very good
Good
Fair
6. Are they sometimes out of school due to lack of necessary instructional items such as pencils
,books etc
Yes
No
7. What is the main cause of them having one parent?
Separation
Divorce
Death of a spouse
43
Thank you for your co-operation, information given is purposely for study only and will be treated
confidential.
44
APPENDIX II
WORK PLAN
ACTIVITY
FROM
January18th 2014
Proposal writing
January 2014
February 2014
Data collection
TO
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
Data analysis
April 2014
May 2014
Report writing
June 2014
July 2014
July 2014
July 2014
August 2014
APPENDIX III
BUDGET
NO
ACTIVITY
UNIT
AMOUNT
SH
Transport
5 trips @ 300
1,500.00
Lunch
5 days @ 100
500.00
500.00
2,200.00
Printing
2,100.00
Newspaper
Internet
Library
Miscellaneous
650.00
Total
8,750.00
50
10 days @ 30
5 days @ 50
45
500.00
300.00
500.00
46