Practices, Challenges and Opportunities of Using Gumuzgna as A Medium of Instruction in Four Primary Schools of Metical Zone

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Date

2018-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to investigate practices and opportunities that promoted the use of Gumuzgna as medium of instruction and the challenges were faced in the course of its implementation in four primary schools of Metekel Zone. To this end, a descriptive survey design was employed to collect and analyze data in addition to employing mixed approach. Based on the nature of respondents, sampling was carried out through random, availability and purposive sampling techniques. Thus, four sample schools were selected from Debati, Mandura, Dangur and Guba Woredas. The subjects of the study were 40 teachers, 12 parents, 5 MT experts, 5 curriculum department heads and 72 students. The data was collected through questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, document analysis and observation. The result shows that, there is lack of appropriate per and in-service training of Gumuzgna teachers, there is lack of participation of students, teachers and parents in selection of script for Gumuzgna medium. There is positive attitude of some community members and politicians to use Gumuzgna as medium of instruction. Enthusiastic feelings of some Gumuz intellectuals, positive support of the local politicians, constitutional rights about mother tongue and experience observed from other local languages were some of the opportunities that have promoted the use of Gumuzgna as MOI. The study also identified some achievements in relative increase of students’ enrollment, decrease dropout rate and repetition rates. Besides, this research result also indicated, improved students self- esteem, self-expression and motivated classroom communication were some of the promoting factors. On the other hand, scarce instructional materials, insufficient time span given for training of teachers, insufficient participation of teachers in planning, selection, preparation and evaluation of instructional materials and community’s lack of awareness towards the language of instruction were challenges of the program. Moreover, lack of general and supplementary materials, continuous follow-up, assessment, evaluation, weak academic institutions and centralization of decision-making were also the critical problems. Furthermore, lack of need assessment and policy reach were the most pressing problems. The finding concluded that there is demanding need for needs assessment, provision of instructional and reference materials, participation of community in decision making, in-service and pre- service professional training in the language. Further, the finding concluded that there is a need to use the language for academic purpose, overcome centralized decision-making and avoid dialectical difference among woredas. Accordingly, it was recommended that the regional, zonal and localworeda administrators are required carry out need assessments and complete the necessary preparations before the implementation of the program. Besides, they are advised to arrange efficient in-service and pre- service training programs to develop teachers' competence, create awareness and participate stakeholders in decision-making processes. Finally, all interested development agencies both local and international are called upon to provide their financially and technically support to the region in order to achievement the intended goal.

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Education

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