Parents' Perception on Use of Mother Tongue as a Medium of Instruction in Primary Schools in Masaba South Sub-County, Kenya
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Date
2016
Authors
Mogire, Makori Jared
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate parents' perception on the use of
mother tongue as a way of instruction in primary schools in Masaba South
Sub-county. Descriptive survey design was used where data was acquired
from lower primary class parents. A questionnaire was used to gather data
from parents. Pilot study was carried out in two schools. Descriptive statistics
concerning frequencies, means and percentages were calculated. Findings of
the study showed that majority 129(50.6%) of parents were female while
126(49.4%) of parents were male. This shows that there were more female
parents than male parents in the schools. Findings further shows that
33( 12.9%) of parents showed that their children used mother tongue as a
language of instruction in lower primary quite often, 90(35.3%) of parents
showed often, 99(38.8%) of parents indicated that children seldom used
mother tongue as a language of learning in lower primary while 33( 12.9%) of
parents indicated that children never used mother tongue as a language of
teaching in lower primary. Majority 132(51.8%) of parents indicated that their
children used Kiswahili as a medium of leaning in schools. Findings shows
102(40.0%) of parents differed that children should use their first language
often when they are learning. Majority 138(54.1 %) of parents conferred that
children taught using mother tongue arc able to comprehend ideas better.
120(47.1 %) of parents intensely agreed that schools should be encouraged to
teach u ing first language while majority 149(58.4%) of parents disagreed that
children trained using mother tongue in lower classes accomplish better than
those taught using other dialects like English or Kiswahili. Findings show that
from private schools, parents had a mean of 1.61likened to a mean of 2.52
from public schools on their insight that lower primary children should be
taught in mother tongue. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded
that children used first language as a language of learning in lower primary
classes quite often. It was also concluded that first language is the key to
effective learning and that if good language is used in instruction, children will
learn with little or less difficulties. The study concluded that parents disagreed
that children should use their first language often when they arc learning.
Based on the findings of the study, the study recommended that since the child
studies best in its first language, parents should highlight the use of mother
tongue plus alien language (English) as a main medium of teaching in our
schools. Environmental teaching to be prearranged to match children
enlightened needs, welfares, abilities and learning skills. The study
recommended that since the study was taken in one region, there is need to
carry out a similar study in another area so as to liken the findings.
Description
A Research Project Submitted In Partial Fulfilment of the Degree of Masters of Education (Early Childhood Studies) In the School of Education, Kenyatta University