TEACHERS’ QUALITY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GOALS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between teachers’ quality and early childhood education Goals Achievement in plateau state, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprise of the proprietors, teachers and the parents that are executive members of Parent Teacher Association totaled 3500 people. Out of which 550 respondents were chosen using stratified random sampling technique. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The instrument for data collection was the researchers' self-designer tagged Teachers’ Quality for Early Childhood Education Goals Achievement Questionnaire (TQECEGAQ). The instrument was validated by the experts in test and measurement, Teachers’ Education, Early Childhood Education and Educational Management. Test-retest reliability method was used to test for the reliability index of the instrument. The test was subjected to the statistical tool of spearman ranking order statistics at .05 significance level. The result of .88 showed that the instrument is reliable for use. The data was personally collected to ensure 100% retrieval of the Questionnaire. The Research questions raised were answered using descriptive statistics like mean scores and standard deviation at benchmark of 2.50 decision level. The hypotheses generated are tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistics at .05 significance level, However, it was concluded that the Early Child Education Goals Achievement is enhanced in plateau state, Nigeria , because of the teachers quality in areas of professional, academic, and social qualities possessed by the teachers. It was recommended that Early Childhood Education Teachers should be assisted by ways of capacity building, conducive environment and motivation which encourage them to put in their best toward achieving the Early Child Education goals especially in plateau state, Nigeria.