Abstract:
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the Early Childhood Development (ECD) program, in Bulilima
District schools in Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe using the Context,
Input, Process and Product (CIPP) model of evaluation. The study employed the
descriptive survey method. The population for the study consisted of sixty-three
primary schools and one hundred and sixty-three ECD teachers in the district. The
sample for the study was made up of thirty-four ECD teachers in the thirty-four
primary schools in Bulilima East Circuit. Questionnaires and interview were used as
instruments for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to the ECD
teachers while the ECD District Supervisor was interviewed. The instruments were
face and content validated by Solusi University experts. Items on the questionnaire
were subjected to factor analysis. The communalities of all the items ranged from
0.727 to 0.945 and as a result, all the items on the questionnaire were valid and
reliable. The researcher administered the research instruments to the respondents. The
qualitative data collected were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, mean and
standard deviation. Findings from the study showed that, the objectives of the ECD
program were met as the prescribed curriculum was emphasized by teachers.
Although facilities were in short supply, teachers often used the prescribed teaching
and evaluation methods and were often supervised and monitored. Overall, teachers
perceived the ECD program as effective. The interview of the ECD supervisor
revealed that the ECD program is achieving its objectives as pupils are better prepared
to learn as compared to when there was no ECD program. There were no adequate
trained teachers for the program, facilities were inadequate and the infrastructure was
below standard. The study, therefore, recommended that the heads of schools and the
community look urgently into the provision of facilities for the teaching of ECD while
efforts should be intensified in the training of ECD teachers by the government.
