An evaluation of the implementation of life skills curriculum in primary schools in Kitui central sub –county, Kitui county, Kenya .

Abstract

Implementation is an essential part of a curriculum. It is the next logical step once a program has been developed and piloted. It involves extensive actions by many parties. Implementing a new curriculum is not easy and is often riddled with challenges. Teachers must be clear about the purpose, the nature and the benefits of the innovation. Implementing life skills curriculum involves educating individuals about the worth of the program component such as a new content area or a type of material. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of life skills curriculum in primary schools in Kitui central sub - county, Kitui County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey design. The target population for the study was 72 primary schools in Kitui central sub - county. The study selected a sample of 22 primary schools which is 30% of the population using simple random sampling. The study made use of the questionnaires, interview schedules to gather information from the respondents. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. To analyze quantitative data, statistical tally system was used to generate frequency counts from the responses so as to prepare frequency distributions. Percentages were calculated from the responses out of the total study sample response per item. The inferential statistics used were Pearson’s Correlations and ANOVA. Multiple regressions were also performed to show the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable. This data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 21. It is hoped that the study may shade light on the factors which are likely to influence the implementation of life skills curriculum geared towards improving the implementation. The findings of the study were; there is a significant relationship r ( 66) = 0.824 between in - servicing of teachers and implementation of life skills curriculum , there is a strong positive correlation between teaching and learning resources with r ( 66) = 0.760 and implementation of life skills curriculum . The recommendations of the study were ; the Ministry of Education Science and Technology , should frequently in - service teachers on the importance and implementation of life skills curriculum , primary school head teachers should be encouraged to buy enough teaching and learning materials , the teachers should be encouraged to use participatory strategies in teaching life skills.