Contribution of physical facilities to teaching and learning in preschools in the Techiman North district

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of physical facilities to the teaching and learning in pre-schools in the Techiman North District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The study adopted descriptive research with a concurrent mixed method design. Seventy-five respondents consisting of 60 teachers and 15 attendants were sampled for the study. The study employed systematic sampling, simple random sampling and convenience sampling techniques in sampling the participants. Questionnaire, interview and observation were the research instruments used in collecting data for the study. Descriptive analysis was the procedure used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that the kind of physical facilities available to the preschool children were not sufficient to enhance positive learning outcomes. It also reduces the level of absenteeism, changes in attitude and modifies behaviour of children appropriately. It was concluded that insufficient and appropriate physical facilities in preschool seem to hinder children’s effective learning. Some of the challenges identified to be hindering children’s learning were inadequate instructional materials, furniture, uncomfortable atmospheric conditions in the schools such as dilapidated buildings, unsafe water and unavailability of toilet and urinal. It was recommended that, Techiman North District Assembly and the District Education Directorate should take cogent steps and efforts to provide appropriate physical facilities that would promote teaching and learning. Again, the head teachers of the schools should practice maintenance culture while the directorate provides teaching and learning materials for both the teachers and the children.