Study: Class 1 and 2 pupils unable to read

By GEORGE ORIDO

KENYA: New research shows many Class 1 and 2 pupils still lack basic knowledge in languages and mathematics.

The research released on Monday indicates sampled pupils could neither read English and Kiswahili, nor solve mathematical problems.

The Triangle International report shows Machakos County is the worst with 52 per cent of pupils in the category.

Nakuru County score is 47 per cent among the same group while Kiambu follows closely with 41 per cent.

Similarly 44 per cent of children in these two classes cannot read Kiswahili in Nakuru and while 40 per cent cannot read Kiswahili in Kiambu.

Literacy levels

Nairobi’s literacy levels are the highest with just 17 per cent of children in Classes 1 and 2 being unable to read.

The research was released yesterday as part of pilot project dubbed the Primary Math and Reading (PRIMR) Initiative implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in conjunction with USAID and the DFiD.

According to the lead researchers, Dr Benjamin Piper and Dr Abel Muganda, the findings were based on a random sample of 1,300 schools countrywide.

According to Dr Piper, there is a huge correlation between literacy levels and math abilities.

“When a mathematical question is set in English and the pupil does not understand the question, chances are the pupil will not solve that math,” he said.

At a range of 1-7 marks where 1 is rated ‘poor’ and 7 rated ‘best’ in the quality of primary education, Kenya scored an average of 3.9 marks below Botswana’s 4.1, Malaysia’s 4.8, Tunisia’s 4.9 and Singapore’s 6.2.

It is against this backdrop that the ministry has taken initiatives such as PRIMR to improve on the quality of education in the country.

Quality of education

“Kenya has achieved very high access (to primary education) levels. What remains now is what quality of education do we give to our children,” posed Abdi Ogle of the Kenya Assessment Centre who also chaired the presentation session at a Nairobi Hotel on Monday.

Statistics shows improved literacy among pupils currently under PRIMR since January 2012.

The average fluency rate in English in formal schools among Class 1 pupils is 24 per cent while that of schools not under the programme remains at 11 per cent.

Yet another interesting finding is that literacy levels in English are generally higher than Kiswahili across the board.

The Kenya National Examinations Council praised the PRIMR initiative and asked for its implementation in the rest of the country.

The ICT intervention in schools in Kisumu County where pupils are facilitated with Tablets was lauded as a major step forward in providing for classroom resources.

As a result, government has been encouraged to introduce digital devices that have all books required for the school curriculum.

Currently, a tablet cost up to $ 70 (Sh5,700 and could be out of reach for many poor families.

The PRIMR mid-term evaluation report also recommends that targeted lesson plans for English, Kiswahili and Mathematics designed by the Ministry be availed to teachers.

A cost less than US$ 2 or Sh168 per subject per pupils was also seen as a threshold to achieving universal literacy and math levels.