The Contributions of Preschool Education on the First Cycle Primary School Students Learning Process and Academic Achievement: Implications to Curriculum Development
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa Univerisity
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of preschool attendance on the academic
achievement and learning process of first cycle primary school children. The research was survey
type and descriptive in nature. One hundred twenty pupils from two first cycle primary government
schools of Nifas Silk Lafto sub-city were selected on the basis of purposive sampling techniques.
Achievement test were given to the students of grad one and two with preschool attendance and
without it. A questionnaire for teachers of the schools and an interview for cluster supervisors,
principals and curriculum experts were designed to obtain information about the children with
preschool attendance and without such experience. After the collection and analysis of data, it was
indicated that pupils with preschool education significantly outperforms their counter parts without
such experience in both schools surveyed by the study. The paper concluded that preschool
education equip children with pre-requite skills which make learning easier and faster. Children
who have had preschool education tend to be more responsible and take active part in curricular
and co-curricular activities than those who did not get it. The research recommended the critical
importance of opening these institutions by the government and societies in different primary
schools.
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Education