Re-tooling teachers and implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum in private secondary schools

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of re-tooling teachers on the implementation of the new lower secondary education curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality. It was guided by the following objectives: To find out the effect of teachers‘ training in using instructional materials, teachers‘ training in classroom instruction management styles, and teachers‘ training in students‘ assessment on the implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality. A cross-sectional survey research design involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used for this study. Data was collected from 198 respondents, who included MEO, MIS, Head teachers, Directors of Studies and teachers from the selected private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality. Questionnaire form and interview guide were used to collect data from the respondents. The study found that teachers‘ training in using instructional materials has a significant effect on the implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality (M=3.91; St.D=1.09). It was also found that teachers‘ training in classroom instruction management styles has a significant effect on the implementation of the new lower education curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality (M=3.91; St.D=1.09); and that teachers‘ training in students‘ assessment has a significant effect on the implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum in private secondary education schools in Bushenyi Municipality (M=3.84; St.D=1.16). Conclusions: Teachers‘ training in using instructional materials enhances the implementation of the new lower secondary education curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality. Secondly, teachers‘ training in using classroom instruction management styles influences the implementation of the new lower secondary education curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality. Thirdly, teachers‘ training in students‘ assessment influences the implementation of the new lower secondary education curriculum in private secondary schools in Bushenyi Municipality. The study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports should continue organizing training programmes for secondary school teachers both in government and private schools, and to provide enough text books and other instructional materials for teachers and students to enhance the implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum. The founders and administrators of private secondary schools, in particular, should plan training programmes for their staff in order to make them effective in utilizing instructional materials, classroom instruction management styles and learners‘ assessment strategies. The head teachers, Municipal Education officer and inspector of schools should monitor and supervisor teachers‘ utilization of instructional materials, use of classroom management styles and assessment of learners to facilitate the teaching and learning process