INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND PUPILS’ READING SKILLS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SERERE TOWN COUNCIL, EASTERN UGANDA

Authors: John Michael Edoru (PhD, Unisa) & Dinah Ijangu (Ma.ed.Mgt, Umu)

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the use of Institutional Materials (I.M.S) as a strategy for developing the reading skills in pupils in primary schools. Serere Town Council, Serere District in Eastern Uganda was taken as a case study. As a third world country, Uganda is faced with challenges in the area of education which have had a direct impact on the literacy level of learners. Being a country of diverse cultures, learners are taught in a language (English) which is not their mother tongue. The socio-economic challenges, particularly of having little or no parental support, as well as the challenges of educators who are not proficient in English as a medium of instruction, and large class sizes contribute to the low literacy levels. The study main objective was to establish whether the availability and use of I.M.S could improve reading skills among primary school pupils. The study revealed that I.M.S when properly utilized in the teaching of reading skills makes it easier for the leaner to excel in academic performance at all levels of education. I.M.S therefore, are of great importance for the teaching and learning of reading in primary schools especially at lower levels of education. The researchers therefore recommend that Primary school teachers should embrace the use of I.M.S, to develop the reading skills of pupils in primary schools.

Keywords: Effectiveness, Institutional Materials, Pupils, Reading Skills

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