Perceived Influence of Management of Early Child Education for Sustainable Development of Public secondary schools in Port Harcourt

Abstract

This paper examines Perceived influence of Management of Early Childhood Education for Sustainable Development of Public Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt. Three objective, three research questions and three hypotheses were posed to guide the study. The population for the study consisted of 2,238 (Two Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight) for teachers and students in 17 Public secondary schools in Port Harcourt. The sample size consists of 339 using Taro Yamen formular. Data for the study were collected by means of questionnaire titled early child education for Sustainable Development questionnaire (ECESDQ)’. The instrument adopted a four-point rating scale of High Extent to Very low Extent. Cronbach Alpha method was used for the reliability test which yielded reliability co-efficient of 0.92. 339 Copies of questionnaire were distributed, and Three hundred and twelve (312) were retrieved for analysis. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions, while z-test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that curriculum content address the diverse needs and backgrounds of students in early childhood education settings. Teacher training programmes in early childhood education improve teachers' skills in creating engaging and age-appropriate learning environments. Based on the findings, conclusion draw that Competent teachers, equipped with the necessary training and resources, are pivotal in fostering students' understanding and commitment to sustainability goals. Furthermore, a well-structured curriculum that integrates sustainability concepts across subjects and aligns with global goals ensures that students are prepared for the complexities of a sustainable future. It recommends that School management should ensure access to modern teaching resources, including digital tools and interactive materials, that support innovative pedagogical methods. Resources such as online learning platforms, sustainability-focused textbooks, and outdoor learning spaces can enhance students' understanding of sustainability issues.