An examination of factors leading to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in child care centres: a case of mangochi and zomba urbans (Malawi)
Posted by Yusuf Abdallah Mdala on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Under: Research Papers
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©Yusuf Abdallah Mdala 2009
©Yusuf Abdallah Mdala 2009
Page and Thomas (1977) define Child Care Centres (CCCs), also known as Day Care Centres in U.S.A., as institutions that provide pre-primary education or nursery classes (p.63). In this study, the phrase CCC has been used to refer to those places or nursery schools where under-five children are cared and taught pre-primary education. Developmental psychology research has shown that it is during the early years of life that the development of intelligence, affection and social relations occur very rapidly. Ministry of Gender and Community Services (2003) observes that any irregularity in a child’s development at this stage will substantially reduce future potential (p.3). In addition, Paciorek and Munro (1999) argue that “If we are truly concerned about preventing teen pregnancy, youth violence, school dropouts and crime, then we need to start first by preventing child poverty and ensuring every child a fair start of life” (p.25). The importance of CCCs to societies, therefore, cannot be overemphasized.
One of the important roles of CCCs is to act as a socialization agent. As noted by Chibwana (2007), play areas and materials in CCCs are an indispensable part of creating a stimulating environment for children. CCCs attract children from different families with different cultural backgrounds and each one of them feels integrated into the society through playing together. In addition, these children play under the supervision of adults. As such, CCCs increase children’s social abilities in a safe and comfortable manner.
CCCs care for children while their parents are at work. In his study of the Malay of South East Asia, Jones (1996) found that the rising of female education and employment opportunities, urbanization and greater geographical mobility is consistent with the increase of dual career families. The World Book Encyclopedia (1994) notes the importance of CCCs in working families.
Further, CCCs provide employment opportunities to members of the society. For example, the U.S. Government operates many day care centres and this provides employment for mothers who get welfare payments and are enrolled in a job-training programme (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1994).
However, it is not usually the case that all CCCs fulfill the roles above successfully. One of the reasons leading to this is the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in the centres. Due to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials, the roles that CCCs play in society such as socialization, caring for children while parents are at work, providing employment opportunities to citizens are hindered. Thus inadequacy of teaching and learning materials reduces the quality of care and education offered in CCCs.
Research has been conducted to assess the teaching and learning materials available in CCCs. For instance, a study by Chibwana (2007) found that most Community Based Child Care Centres do not have adequate resources like play materials and outdoor play space. Against this background, and considering the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in CCCs in Malawi, this research seeks to examine the factors leading to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in CCCs around Mangochi and Zomba urbans.
Click here to download the whole research paper.
One of the important roles of CCCs is to act as a socialization agent. As noted by Chibwana (2007), play areas and materials in CCCs are an indispensable part of creating a stimulating environment for children. CCCs attract children from different families with different cultural backgrounds and each one of them feels integrated into the society through playing together. In addition, these children play under the supervision of adults. As such, CCCs increase children’s social abilities in a safe and comfortable manner.
CCCs care for children while their parents are at work. In his study of the Malay of South East Asia, Jones (1996) found that the rising of female education and employment opportunities, urbanization and greater geographical mobility is consistent with the increase of dual career families. The World Book Encyclopedia (1994) notes the importance of CCCs in working families.
Further, CCCs provide employment opportunities to members of the society. For example, the U.S. Government operates many day care centres and this provides employment for mothers who get welfare payments and are enrolled in a job-training programme (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1994).
However, it is not usually the case that all CCCs fulfill the roles above successfully. One of the reasons leading to this is the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in the centres. Due to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials, the roles that CCCs play in society such as socialization, caring for children while parents are at work, providing employment opportunities to citizens are hindered. Thus inadequacy of teaching and learning materials reduces the quality of care and education offered in CCCs.
Research has been conducted to assess the teaching and learning materials available in CCCs. For instance, a study by Chibwana (2007) found that most Community Based Child Care Centres do not have adequate resources like play materials and outdoor play space. Against this background, and considering the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in CCCs in Malawi, this research seeks to examine the factors leading to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in CCCs around Mangochi and Zomba urbans.
Click here to download the whole research paper.
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