Contract Farming And Its Impact On The Tobacco Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study Of Karoi 2004-2014

ABSTRACT

The research sought to establish challenges associated with the achievement of

automaticityat grade two level with the view to find possible strategies to circumvent the

established challenges, consequently enhancing reading and school performance. The

study was necessitated by the fact that eleven subjects out of twelve in the Zimbabwean

Primary School Curriculum are done in English, for this reason the achievement of

automaticity was considered paramount. The study was also necessitated by the outcry

of grade three to seven teachers in Vutika Cluster on the alarming number of nonreaders

in schools. More often than not research on the achievement of automaticity

has focused on developed countries and urban settings leaving rural learners’ needs

seemingly unexplored. The prevalence of non-readersindeveloped countries left the

researcher with wonder as to the state of affairs in rural settings. Literature revealed that

non-readers are prevalent across the world whether the country is poor or rich.

Reviewed literature also revealed that learners have diverse challenges in their quest to

achieve automaticity in English reading. Some strategies need to be identified to make

the challenges surmountable.

The research study employed the mixed methods approach and a descriptive survey

design. The population comprised of one hundred and ninety grade two learners, eight

grade two teachers and three teachers-in-charge in Vutika Cluster. In terms of learners

25% (49 learners) constituted the sample. Teachers and teachers-in-charge were

chosen using purposive sampling. Eight grade two teachers and three teachers-incharge

voluntarily participated in the research. Data were collected using three research

instruments namely a questionnaire for teachers, an interview guide for teachers-incharge

and a sample of learners’ scores which were averaged. Data were analyzed

using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques.

The study found that non-readers were in the range 20% to 30% in the schools. The

study concluded that non-readers are really a reality in schools. The research study

established nineteen challenges that are associated with achievement of automaticity at

grade two level. It was therefore concluded that grade two learners face challenges in

striving to achieve automaticity. The research established twelve strategies that may be

employed in helping learners achieve automaticity in English reading. It was therefore

concluded that the reading challenges can be surmountable.