Child-Centered Monitoring and Evaluation Process and Implementation of Peace Education Programs in Early Childhood Education Centers in HomaBay County, Kenya

Abstract

The effective implementation of Peace Education Programs (PEPs) is crucial for building a culture of non-violence in Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers, particularly in regions prone to social tension, such as Homabay County, Kenya. This study examined the influence of the Child-Centered Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Process-specifically, its four sequential components: Planning, Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Data Utilization-on the implementation of PEPs in ECE centers across Homabay County. The research was guided by the need to understand how adopting a child-centered approach in the M&E framework can enhance the fidelity and effectiveness of peace education delivery. Adopting an Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Design, the study targeted a population of 750 respondents (educators, program, and county staff) involved in PEP implementation. A total sample size of 249 was determined using proportional allocation within stratified random sampling. Data were primarily collected using a self-administered questionnaire which achieved high reliability (Cronbach's alpha α above 0.70). Data analysis employed both descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Pearson Correlation and Simple and Multiple Linear Regression). Null hypothesis was tested at α= 0.05 level of significance. The combined effect of all four M&E components on implementation was found to be substantial and highly statistically significant (R² = 0.318, p < 0.05), collectively accounting for a high percentage (31.8%) of the variance in program implementation success. The study concluded that the full adoption and integration of a Child-Centered M&E Process significantly enhance the quality and success of Peace Education Program implementation. The findings are expected to inform policy formulation by the Ministry of Education and guide educators in Homabay County and similar decentralized education systems toward implementing evidence-based, child-sensitive M&E methods for promoting peace and non-violence.