New study confirms three-year-olds ready for school

The county government of Tharaka Nithi, in conjunction with various universities, has released preliminary findings of a randomised control trial that sought to analyse the adaptability of three-year-old children in school, thus giving their mothers an opportunity to seek income generating activities, more so in farming, a dominant activity in the county.

 The study, now in its second year, has involved about 60 schools out of the county’s 454 institutions and has been funded by a number of institutions. It is led by Kenyatta University and Yale University.

 According to the ongoing study, by age three, children have already developed cognitive values that favour their enlisting to school as they allow their mothers to engage in income generating activities that boost the family

This is the first of its kind in the country’s public schools, and more in the rural set up, having been born out of the need for mothers to expeditiously get on their feet after giving birth, and raising their children to at least 3 years.

 The whole idea came from the construction of a world acclaimed creche at the Chuka market that created avenues for mothers to go to the market with their children, and leave them in the hands of a caregiver, while they continue with business.

 Afterwards, Kenyatta University, in its pursuit of opportunities for women empowerment, partnered with the County Government of Tharaka Nithi to take the programme beyond the market, thus integrating it in the ECDE curriculum, where those that are three years old, are enrolled in school, and taught by specially trained caregivers.

The universities involved in the research have used locally obtained material to come up with cognitive products that can be used for learning, as well as teach the children in their mother tongue, and in the case of Tharaka Nithi’s diverse dialects, the children are taught in their different dialects.

 This has in turn improved enrolment in schools as well as boost the economic status of areas the parents are in.

 According to the government, the right age for one to go to school is four years.

 Sam Ngaruiya, a basic education expert from the ministry of Education, said the project has the full blessings of the Government, and would be replicated across the country, noting most of the country’s regions almost have the same conditions.

 Kenya Bureau of Standards has also been involved to guarantee upholding of standards.

 Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki approving the study, saying his government would greatly invest in basic education as has been brought out in the study, with the hope that it will not only increase school enrolment, but also provide a proper base for the children’s education as they advance their studies.

 Also, the 60 caregivers trained under the programme will be absorbed as the first cohort of those to be employed to cater for the growing numbers of those enrolling in school