Availability and Utilization of Instructional Materials in Selected Public and Private Primary Schools in Kasese Municipality, Uganda

ABSTRACT The main purpose of the study was to find out whether learning resources were well availed and put to better use by learners in public and private primary schools. The study used a descriptive comparative design. The researcher selected attributes for the study in the availability and utilization of instructional materials in classrooms. The researcher used a questionnaire to measure the levels of utilization of attributes and a checklist for the levels of availability of materials in the classrooms. The teachers filled in the questionnaire while observation checklist captured the presence of materials to the learners. Both public, and private primary schools were visited. Demographic data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Data on availability and utilization variables was analyzed using statistical package for social science and summarized using descriptive statistics showing the means as indicated in tables 3 and 4. For comparison of levels of availability and levels of utilization of instructional materials in schools, data was analyzed using students sample T test. The main findings were: There were more female teachers than male ones. Schools were dominated by grade III teachers. Chalkboards were very satisfactorily availed in all schools. Wall maps, flannel boards, class libraries, models, laboratories, computers, radios, ground maps and other audio-visuals were poorly available in schools. The utilization level of instructional materials was generally low except for chalkboards and slates where their use was very high. Private schools were found utilizing and availing learning materials higher than public schools. The conclusion was that teachers in public primary schools had scarcity of instructional materials and low utilization as compared to their counterparts in private schools. The main recommendations are that government should increase the supplies of materials in• public schools and train teachers on the preparation, make, maintenance and modern use of instructional materials in schools to improve learner achievements.