PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT ON REIMAGINING EDUCATION IN 21ST CENTURY AMONG PRESCHOOLERS

Abstract

This paper examined the reimagining education in the 21^st century via active community and parental engagement among preschoolers. The general purpose of the study is to determine how community and parents foster education in the 2st century among preschooler. The study was carried out in Nsukka educational Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study. The descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. The population was 49 comprising 27 community heads and 22 heads of schools public in Nsukka Local Government Area of State. Instrument for data collection was a questionnaire developed by the researcher, titled: “reimagining education in the 21^st century via active community and parental engagement among preschoolers (RECPEAP)” containing 23 items. The research instrument was validated by three experts in Faculty of education, UNN and the reliability of the instrument was ascertained through a pilot-test by sampling 20 head teachers and community heads in Igbo Eze South LGA of Enugu State which was outside the study area. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to measure the internal consistence of the pilot test and 0.76 values were obtained showing the consistence and reliability of the instrument. Data collected were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The findings of this study revealed among that knowledge on the certain things that parents and community members ought to do to foster preschooler quest for new knowledge are lacking. From the findings of the study, recommendations were also proffered and among them include that Enugu State Government in collaboration with the Enugu State Universal Basic Education (ENSUBEB) should incorporate community heads into educational policy making to increase their awareness of the need for innovative kinds of education that inspire the interest of their children