Devolution of Early Childhood Development and Education in Kenya: Improvement in the Status of Infrastructural Facilities and Its Influence on Enrolment in Siaya County

Abstract

The Kenyan Constitution devolves to County governments the responsibility to deliver quality Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) services. This study focused on determining infrastructural facilities that influenced ECDE enrolment during the first three years of devolution, viz. 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16. Its purpose was influence County Government’s investment decisions in ECDE infrastructural facilities, as well as contribute to relevant policy discourses and stimulate research in developing countries. Quantitative data were sourced from 145 participants, including education officers, administrators and teachers; while qualitative data were obtained from 12 participants including senior education officers, non-governmental agencies and head teachers of primary schools hosting ECDE centres. Results show that the extent of increase in ECDE enrolment significantly associated with improvement in the status of classrooms (χ2 = 30.453, df = 8 & ρ-value = 0.000); and furniture (χ2 = 25.938, df = 8 & ρ-value = 0.001). However, no significant association existed between the extent of increase in ECDE enrolment and improvement in the status of: sanitation facilities (χ 2 = 3.057, df = 8 & ρ-value = 0.931); outdoor play equipment (χ2 = 1.609, df = 6 & ρ-value = 0.925); as well as assistive facilities (χ2 = 2.840, df = 6 & ρ-value = 0.829). Of the five infrastructural facilities, only classrooms and furniture improved to the extent of causing a significant influence on enrolment. The results amplify the need for the County Government to broaden the scope of infrastructural facilities considered in the investment plan for public ECDE centres to provide holistic development to children; thereby, build a strong foundation for lifelong educational attainment and socio-economic development.