Effects of using Bemba as medium of instruction on the reading levels of grade two pupils in a predominantly namwanga speaking area of Nakonde District, Zambia

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Date
2016
Authors
Chinyama, Makumba Mable
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Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to establish the effect of using Bemba as Medium of Instruction (MoI) on the reading levels of grade two pupils in a predominantly Namwanga speaking area in Nakonde District. The research design was a case study. Qualitative methodology was used to collect and analyze data. The methods used were interviews, observations, focus group discussions and document analysis. Grade two pupils were only observed and are not part of the sample as there was no direct information that was required from them. Simple random and purposive sampling were used to come up with a sample consisting of four primary schools, four head teachers six grade two teachers and eighteen parents. The data was analyzed qualitatively and grouped into identified themes generated from the research objectives. The findings revealed that learners were facing phonological, morphological and semantic challenges. Pupils had problems in understanding what the teacher said in Bemba due to lack of proficiency in Bemba.On the other hand, some teachers whose mother tongue is not Bemba had some challenges when communicating to the learners during literacy lessons because of language barrier. The differences between Bemba and Namwanga vocabulary contributed to the learning difficulties among Namwanga children. Parents found it very difficult to help their children with homework in reading because of high levels of illiteracy among them. It was concluded that the challenges pupils, teachers and parents were facing because of using Bemba as medium of instruction contributed to the low reading levels of grade two pupils in Nakonde District. Pupils were denied of the parental involvement in their education due to high levels of illiteracy among parents. Bemba was not fit for use as MoI because it was not a familiar language in most of the schools in Nakonde District It was recommended that head teachers in Nakonde District should allocate grade two classes to teachers who are conversant with Bemba, the language of instruction, and Namwanga, the pupils’ familiar language, so that literacy lessons can be effective. The Ministry of General Education would do well to introduce Namwanga as medium of instruction because it is the language that is commonly used in Nakonde.In addition, the district education office should orient new teachers in the Medium of Instruction of the district.
Description
Master of Education in Literacy and Learning
Keywords
Bemba language--Semantics , Bantu languages--Grammar, Comparative--Bemba
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