Early Childhood Education and Primary School Learners’ Academic Performance in Rwanda

Abstract

This study was intended to explore the relationship between Early Childhood Education and primary school learners’ academic performance. The research was guided by the three objectives: to describe early childhood education developed skills in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda; to compare the academic performance of primary school learners with and without early childhood education in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda and to ascertain the relationship between early childhood education and primary school learners’ academic performance in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda. The correlative research design methodology was used to establish relationship between early childhood education and primary school learners’ academic performance.  The target population was composed of 318 participants from 74 schools with primary and early childhood education in Nyamasheke district. Yamane (1967) served in determining the sample size which was 177 respondents. Data collection instruments comprised of questionnaires to ECE and Primary teachers, interviews for head teachers and observation of ECE teaching and learning activities. The findings of the study indicated that early childhood education development enhances children’s moral development, socialization, cooperation, tolerance, emotional growth, intellectual development and physical fitness where teachers agreed providing their perception at an average rate of 79.4 per cent. The study further revealed that primary school learners’ academic performance is greater if children have done early childhood education than when they entered primary school without ECE. Furthermore, the findings revealed there exists a low positive correlation between early childhood education and primary school learners’ academic performance. The correlation coefficient r=0.491 was identified with the p- value of .000 of a two- tailed. The study concluded that early childhood education facilitated primary learners to be prepared for academic performance and improve their performance. Children who have done early childhood education are more likely to attend class regularly, participate more in learning activities and score higher grade in primary school as compared to their peers who did not have access to ECE. The study recommended early childhood education should be provided with facilities for so that all children get this kind of education.

 Keywords: Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Education, Kindergarten, Nine Years Basic Education, Preschool, Nursery school, Twelve Years Basic Education