Effects of lower primary school grade three teachers’ integration of the 21st century skills in teaching

In today's dynamic socio-economic landscape, integrating 21st-century skills into education has become crucial. Among these skills, collaborative learning is particularly significant, especially when introduced at early educational stages to achieve desired long-term outcomes. This study examined the effects of grade three teachers’ integration of 21st-century skills on learners’ acquisition of collaborative learning competencies in Thika sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. The cosmopolitan population provided a representative sample, and a descriptive research design was employed. Stratified random sampling was used to select a 10% sample size. The study focused on key objectives: assessing grade three teachers’ understanding of 21st-century skills, determining the extent of their integration into teaching, examining the relationship between teacher training and collaborative teaching practices, evaluating learners’ acquisition of collaborative learning competencies, and analyzing school factors influencing skill integration. Data collection instruments included teacher questionnaires, observation checklists for teachers and learners, with content validity and reliability (β≥0.75) ensured. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics for quantitative data, thematic organization for qualitative data, and SPSSversion 26. Findings revealed that grade three teachers possessed a significant understanding of 21st-century skills, though creativity and innovation were rated neutrally. Most teachers felt adequately trained, and learners moderately excelled in collaborative skills. A positive correlation between teacher training and collaborative teaching strategies was identified, highlighting the importance of teacher preparedness. Recommendations included enhanced administrative support, clear policies, and further research to address implementation barriers, ensuring effective adoption of 21st-century skills in Kenyan classrooms.