Influence of Head Teachers’ Human Resource Management Skills on Preschoolers’ Access To Quality Education in Kisii County, Kenya

The first five years of a child play a critical role in laying a solid foundation for primary, secondary and future learning of any student or pupil. Hence, the quality of Early Childhood Education which leads to the acquisition of basic competencies among preschoolers is crucial for a child’s subsequent learning and Educational advancement.  In spite of the great importance associated with the Early Childhood Development and Education in Kenya, the government’s effort to ensure that all preschool age children access quality education has not been impressive. Hence, the present study sought to explore the influence of head teachers’ human resource management skills on preschoolers’ access to quality Education in Kisii County, Kenya. The study adopted ex post facto research design. The target population for the study included 702 Head teachers, 957 Pre-primary Teachers, 9 sub-county ECDE officers and 2 County ECDE officers. The sample size for the study included 155 Head teachers, 282 Pre-primary Teachers, 9 sub-county ECDE officers and 2 County ECDE officers. The data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedule. To ensure validity of research instruments in the present study, face, construct and content validities of the research instruments were assessed. The study employed the split-half method to establish the reliability of the instrument which was found as r= 0.848. The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitatively collected data was analyzed using measures of central tendencies, frequency distributions, percentages, Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, simple and multiple regression analysis while thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study established that there was statistically significant positive correlation (r=.593, n=268, p<.05) between the Head Teachers’ human resource management skills and preschoolers’ access to quality Education. In addition, there were statistically significant (p<.05) positive correlation between the Headteachers’ management of human resources and all the five aspects of preschoolers’ access to quality education investigated (resources adequacy in ECD, quality nutrition, health and safety in ECD, child acquisition of basic literacy competencies, participation in ECE (Absenteeism, Punctuality, and Retention).