Teachers Perception on the Level of Preparedness in Implementing Early Grade Reading Programme in Kenya Public Primary Schools

Introduction of early grade reading programmes in Kenyan public primary schools lower primary section was aimed at improving reading skills among pupils. However, no substantive research has been conducted yet to determine the views of teachers on their preparedness on the implementation of this programme since it was launched in January 2016 countrywide. The study sought opinions of lower primary school teachers who are the implementers of early grade reading. The target respondents were 551 teachers from Chepkorio division in Keiyo South Sub County, Elgeyo-Marakwet County Kenya. A sample size of 163 teachers were selected through stratified random sampling method. The study used teacher preparedness scale questionnaire as data collection instrument. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis for qualitative data. Research findings shows that majority of teachers were not adequately prepared for implementation of early grade reading programmes in Kenya. The study recommends that the government through the Ministry of Education should continuously offer in-service training to teachers and follow up on programme implementation in primary schools.