Journal of Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (JECAN)

Volume 15

PARENT-COMMUNITY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP: A KEY TO UNLOCKING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SUCCESS IN LAGOS STATE

ALAKPA, Dilys Uruemu, AKIDI, Emmanuel Ugochukwu, EJEH Rachel Okah, IFEANYI, Blessing Ozavize & IDIOHA, Lilian, Chinenye

Abstract

The study examines parent-community-school partnership: A key to unlocking early childhood education
success in Lagos State. The specific objective is to determine the challenges and opportunities associated with establishing and maintaining effective partnerships. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population was parents and school administrators selected from six primary schools in the Badagry and Ojo Local Government Areas of Lagos State. The sample consisted of 168 respondents sampled through a multistage sampling procedure. A well-designed instrument, titled Parent-Community-School Partnership in Early Childhood Education Questionnaire (PCSP_ECEQ), was used for the study. The Cronbach alpha method of reliability was used to determine the instrument's reliability, and an r=0.794 coefficient value was obtained. The result affirms a positive and significant relationship between parent-community-school partnerships and children's academic achievement in early childhood education centers (r = 9.16; p < 0.05). The results also depict a significant difference in the level of parent-community-school partnerships across different socioeconomic backgrounds (t = 8.47; df = 166 < 0.05). The study recommended that Teacher training programs should incorporate modules on effective communication strategies, cultural sensitivity, and partnership-building techniques to equip educators with the skills necessary to engage parents and community members from diverse backgrounds. Also, community leaders and local organisations should be actively involved in the planning and implementation of school programs, contributing their expertise and resources to enrich the curriculum and provide additional support to students and families.

Keywords

Early Childhood Education, Holistic Development, Parent-Community-School Partnership, Parental Involvement

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