Teacher Position in Spurring Value Based Education in Early Learning in Nairobi County, Kenya: Addressing Support of Values in School Environment

Abstract

Value Based Education (VBE) is an essential element that impacts moral, ethical, cultural, social and spiritual ideals necessary for holistic development of children. Providing an education on values at an early age ensures that children are directed by these ideologies throughout life. Research indicates that children who adopt values at an early age are confident, competent, independent, and exhibit harmonious social interactions throughout life time. Conversely, increase in juvenile delinquency, disrespect, drug abuse, school dropout, and conflicts in schools creates crisis in contemporary society. In such circumstances, VBE assumes a distinctive role to school deterioration process by strengthening morals and ethics within the society. The study explored influence of preschool teachers in spurring VBE among preschool children in Nairobi County focusing on; self control honesty, fairness, compassion and trust. A survey design was adopted with a target population of 36 public preschools. Purposeful sampling technique was then used to obtain data from 36 preschool teachers though use of a questionnaire. The study established that though teachers inculcate values to children both consciously and unconsciously, there is no planned value education program established on formal learning. The study recommends; regular training of teachers on use of VBE to deliberately foster intercultural understanding, social cohesion and inclusion, as well as need for value oriented programmes focusing on effective pedagogy.