An investigation into alternative basic education level-e learners' textbooks of pastoralist and semi pastoralist areas of Oromia
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of the appropriateness of the
first level Afan Oromo, English, Mathematics, and Environmental Science textbooles
prepared for students of ABE centers at pastoralist and semi-pastoralist areas of
Oromia Regional State. To conduct the study, content analysis was used as a
method. Interviews of Regional Curriculum Department head and curriculum experts
of the department who participated in the preparation of the textbooles were applied
as a supplementing procedure. The appropriateness of the textbooles' layout,
objective-content association, the conditions of illustrations and gender issues were
coded and analyzed. The findings of this study showed that all contents are in
harmony with objectives set in the respective syllabi. The illustrations are also in
harmony with the contents and some of them lacle clarity. The whole textbooles are
prepared on the basis of self directing modes of activities. However, it is found that
the typographic layouts and page setups of these textbooles show insignificant
variation with standards set by EMPDA. Significant encouraging attempts and
efforts have been shown to maintain gender balance, but it is found that this
balance is not maintained perfectly throughout the textbooles. The setup of teams
whose members include curriculum experts, subject experts, practicing teachers,
graphic designers and so on for the purpose of curriculum materials development;
editing manuscripts by separate professionals other than the textboole writer(s) as it
can positively contribute to the quality of the textbooles; revision of the textbooles
periodically based on further and comprehensive study including the other aspects
of the textbooles quality, paying due attention for the issues related with gender
balance; the issues of setting standards and the formulation of textboole policy
concentrating on textboole writing, textbooles quality evaluations and approval,
research on textbooles, copyright and similar matters etc. either at federal or
regional level; allowing publishers' in line with the principles of free marleet economy
to accomplish the tasle of preparing and publishing textbooles are recommended.
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Education