The influence of Silozi as a medium of instruction on literacy in junior primary schools: A case study of four schools in the Zambezi education region
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Date
2024
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Silozi as a medium of
instruction literacy in junior primary schools through the case study of four primary
schools in the Zambezi Region. Although the study was mainly qualitative, it adopted
a pragmatic parallel mixed methods design employing both qualitative and
quantitative research designs. The following data collection methods were used:
questionnaire, observations, and semi-structured interviews. The purpose of using
parallel mixed methods was to enable the researcher to collect and concurrently
analyse data to gain in-depth information and perspectives on the use of Silozi as a
medium of instruction. A total of 29 respondents were chosen for the study: 12
teachers, 4 principals, 1 advisory teacher and 12 parents. Data obtained through
questionnaires, observations and semi-structured interviews were triangulated into
themes and categories, documented, and interpreted after analysis. The study revealed
that the language situation in the Zambezi Region is complex and not cognisant of the
region’s linguistic heterogeneity. The study further revealed several factors that
influence using Silozi as a medium of instruction which included the differences in
the languages spoken at home and the language of classroom instruction, lack of
adequate instructional materials, inadequate Silozi reading materials within the school
and home environments, lack of proficiency in Silozi for some teachers and learners,
negative parental and teacher attitudes towards the use of Silozi as medium of
instruction. It was therefore recommended that the Ministry of Education, Arts and
Culture should promote the Silozi language among communities in the Zambezi
Region, strengthen Silozi as a medium of instruction through teacher training and
supporting the development of instructional materials to bridge the gap between the
language of classroom instruction and the home language
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of education
Keywords
Silozi, junior primary schools, Zambezi education region, Namibia, Literacy, Medium of instruction, Silozi language