Instructional Materials and Implementation of Tusome Early Literacy Programme in Kajiado West Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to carry out an evaluation of the implementation of Tusome Early Literacy Programme in Kajiado West Sub-County, Kenya. The study was guided by two research objectives:

• To establish the availability of learning and teaching materials in the teaching of reading in the implementation of Tusome Programme, and
• To establish challenges faced in the implementation of Tusome Early Literacy Programme in Kajiado West Sub-County

This study adopted an evaluation research design. The target population was 2079, comprising 1778 pupils in grade 3, 226 lower primary school teachers, 72 head teachers, and 3 CSOs in Kajiado West Sub-County, and a sample of 228 constituting 3 CSOs, 15 head teachers, 30 teachers, and 180 pupils. From the target population, a sample of 228 was used. Data collection tools were questionnaires for teachers, an interview schedule for CSOs and head teachers, a reading test for Grade 3 learners, and an observation schedule. Instrument validity was ensured by seeking the expert opinion of university supervisors. Instrument reliability was determined through the test-retest method. Descriptive statistics, which included frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, were used for data analysis, and results were presented in tables. The study found that in most schools instructional materials were adequate for the effective implementation of the programme, and the quality of textbooks was high. The challenges faced in the implementation of Tusome programmes included: lack of facilities to store and maintain textbooks, high teacher workload, transfers of teachers already trained on Tusome Programme, low levels of teacher motivation, harassment of teachers by Curriculum Support Officers, which impended implementation of Tusome programme in the Sub-County. The study concludes that the availability of adequate instructional materials was vital for the effective implementation of Tusome Programme.