Effectiveness of Mother Tongue Instruction on Literacy Rates in Primary Education in Kenya, Examining the Transition from Indigenous Languages to English in Urban and Rural Settings

Joan Muchemi ()

African Journal of Education and Practice, 2024, vol. 10, issue 4, 40 - 51

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of mother tongue instruction on literacy rates in primary education in Kenya, examining the transition from indigenous languages to English in urban and rural settings Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Studies on the effectiveness of mother tongue instruction in Kenya's primary education reveal that using indigenous languages in early education significantly improves literacy rates, particularly in rural areas. In these settings, children who learn in their native languages during the early grades develop stronger foundational literacy skills compared to those taught in English from the start. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Sociocultural theory, cummins’ linguistic interdependence theory & transitional bilingual education theory may be used to anchor future studies on the effectiveness of mother tongue instruction on literacy rates in primary education in Kenya, examining the transition from indigenous languages to English in urban and rural settings. Schools, particularly in rural areas, need more resources like textbooks and teaching aids in indigenous languages to support early literacy development. Policymakers should implement flexible language policies that consider the different linguistic needs of urban and rural populations.

Keywords: Mother Tongue Instruction; Literacy Rates; Primary Education; Indigenous Languages; Urban; Rural Settings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://iprjb.org/journals/index.php/AJEP/article/view/3032/3564 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bdu:ojajep:v:10:y:2024:i:4:p:40-51:id:3032

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in African Journal of Education and Practice from IPR JOURNALS AND BOOKS LIMITED
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chief Editor ().