Thematic Curriculum Implementation and Pupils` Early Grade Reading Skills in Public Primary Schools in Kumi Municipality, Uganda

ABSTRACT 

The study investigated the relationship between thematic curriculum implementation and pupils` early grade reading skills in public primary schools in Kumi Municipality, Uganda. Guided by three specific objectives: To assess the extent of thematic curriculum implementation, To find out the level of pupils` early grade reading skills, and To establish the relationship between thematic curriculum and reading skills of early grade in Kumi Municipality public primary schools. Descriptive correlation design was employed in the study to determine the relationship between thematic curriculum and pupils` early grade reading skills. Qualitative approach was used to get the perceptions of the pupil respondents on the thematic curriculum and pupils` early grade reading skills. Quantitative approach was used to get in-depth information about thematic curriculum implementation and early grade reading skills of the rest of the respondents other than the pupils. Target population was 12,688 respondents, which included 16 head teachers, 320 teachers, 12,000 pupils, 208 SMC’s and 144 PTA members, from which about 819 sample size was taken for this study. A sample for all these respondents other than head teachers (all taken) was got by using the Slovene`s formula: n = N / (1+Ne2). Where (n) was the required sample, (N) was the population and (e) the level of significance also called margin of error(0.05). Each of the 16 schools had six participants, nine of them had one additional member in PTA. SMC members were 8 for each school while8 schools had one additional member taken for data collection. Each school presented 24 pupils, while 3 schools benefited one more. All teachers were 6 in each school, and additional one for only 9 schools. Findings revealed that, the relationship between thematic curriculum implementation and early grade reading skills was very low (5 out of 7), therefore no evidence of a relationship between thematic curriculum implementation and pupils` early grade reading skills attainment in Kumi Municipality public primary schools. It was recommended that, another study in other factors be done since this particular one did not affirm the relationship that was assumed by the researcher.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION........................................................................................... i

APPROVAL ................................................................................................ ii

DEDICATION ........................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................. iv

ABREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................. v

LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................... vi

LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................vii

ABSTRACT..............................................................................................viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .........................................................1

1.0 Introduction................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................... 1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective..................................................................... 1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective............................................................................................. 6

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective ............................................................................................ 8

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective........................................................................................... 11

1.2 Statement of the Problem............................................................. 13

1.3 Purpose of study.......................................................................... 13

1.4 Specific Objectives ....................................................................... 14

1.5 Research Questions ..................................................................... 14

1.6 Null Hypothesis ........................................................................... 14

1.7 Scope of the study ....................................................................... 14

1.7.2 Content scope.............................................................................. 15

1.7.3 Time scope................................................................................... 15

1.8 Significance of the study .............................................................. 15

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................17

2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 17

2.1 Theoretical Review ....................................................................... 17

2.2 Conceptual Frame Work.................................................................... 23

2.3 Related Studies............................................................................ 24

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..................................................41

3.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 41

3.1 Research Design................................................................................ 41

3.2 Target Population .............................................................................. 42

3.3 Sample Size.................................................................................................................... 42

3.4 Sampling Techniques ........................................................................ 43

3.5 Data Quality Control ......................................................................... 43

3.6 Research Instruments ....................................................................... 45

3.7 Data Gathering Procedure ................................................................. 46

3.8 Data Analysis .................................................................................... 46

3.9 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................... 47

3.10 Limitations of the Study............................................................... 47

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS.......................................................48

4.0 Introduction................................................................................. 48

4.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents in Public Primary Schools in Kumi Municipality.............................. 48

4.2 Thematic Curriculum Implementation in Public Primary Schools in Kumi Municipality .................... 50

4.3 Pupils` Early Grade Reading Skills in public primary schools in Kumi Municipality ..................................... 54

4.4 The Relationship Between Thematic Curriculum Implementation and Pupils` Early Grade Reading Skills in Public Primary Schools in Kumi Municipality ............ 57

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................61

5.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 61

5.1 Discussion of Results................................................................... 61

5.2 Conclusion .................................................................................. 64

5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................... 65

REFERENCES......................................................................................... 67

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................ 70

APPENDIX I: TRANSMITAL LETTER ............................................................................. 70

APPENDIX II: LETTER TO THE RESPONDENTS....................................... 71

APPENDIX III: INFORMED CONSENT .................................................... 72

APPENDIX IV: RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS.............................................. 73