Assessment of Public Pre-Primary School Learning Environments in Ilorin East L.G.A., Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The environment that children relate to significantly influences their learning and development. This study sought to assess the public  preprimary school learning environment, basically, indoor and outdoor learning materials, based on the level of adequacy, aesthetics,  and safety in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. The population of this study consists of teachers teaching pre-primary  classes in Ilorin East. There are sixty-five (65) public primary schools in Ilorin East. The purposive sampling technique was used  to select thirteen (13) schools, which make up 20% of the population of the study, and therefore, the respondents for the study were  chosen from the targeted sample. One instrument used is a checklist titled Checklist on Public Pre-Primary Learning Environment (CPPLE)  based on the contents of the environment models of Pre-Primary Education as spelt out in the National Minimum Standard for  Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Nigeria, which was validated and a reliability coefficient of 0.72r was obtained in the study.  Frequency count, percentage and mean were used to answer the four research questions. The findings revealed that the learning environments are slightly attractive and safe, and there are no adequate indoor and outdoor learning materials in public schools for  teaching preprimary school pupils in Ilorin East Local Government Area. Hence, it was recommended that the relevant authorities, such  as the Ministry of Education, among other development agencies, should facilitate the provision of adequate instructional materials such  as toys, books, charts, educational media technology and school facilities such as toilets and game equipment so as to ensure the holistic  development of preschoolers.