EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON ISSUES THAT THREATEN SECURITY IN PRESCHOOLS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated early childhood education teachers’ perceptions on issues that threaten security in preschools in Benue State, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey type of descriptive research design. The study population comprised of all the public preschools teachers in Benue State, Nigeria. However, two hundred and sixty (260) preschools teachers randomly were purposively selected to serve as respondents for the study. The instrument used for this study was adopted and modified. The instrument was titled “Early Childhood Education Teachers’ Perceptions (ECTP)”. Eighteen (18) item/questionnaire divided into two sections was used to elicit information from the teachers on how to provide pre-school friendly environment for Nigerian children. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Any item that scores 2.50 and above was regarded as being accepted while any item with mean below 2.50 was rejected. The findings of this study revealed that poor relationships between the teachers and the administration; lack of fencing in the school; lack of security guards; school location and destructive school environment are accepted as possible challenges to safety in preschools among others. The findings also revealed that well managed classroom; training pupils and staff about security; adequate regulation and policies on security matters; training pupils and staff about security; adequate provision of emergency communication line and parameter fencing of the school/school gate are accepted as the possible solutions to safety challenges in preschools. This study therefore recommends the provision of adequate training for staff on security issues in preschools; there should be closed relationship between the preschools with the families of the pupils and the community respectively; there should be adequate regulation and policies on security matters in preschools and adequate provision of emergency communication lines in preschools.