Factors contributing to poor reading habits and ineffective use of library services among secondary school students
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Date
2006
Authors
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study was conducted so as to establish the factors which contribute to poor reading habit and ineffective use of library among secondary school students by looking at the students’ attitudes towards reading and library use; the extent at which schools and public libraries promote reading interest among secondary school students; how the conditions in school environment affected the teaching of reading and how the students’ home environments supported them in developing reading interest. The study was conducted in Tabora Municipality and involved six secondary schools namely: Itaga Seminary, Kazima Secondary School, Mihayo Secondary School, Milambo Secondary School, New Era Secondary School, and Tabora Girls Secondary School. Each Head of School was given a questionnaire, two teachers-one who teaches English language in Form III and another who teaches Kiswahili were interviewed. Also, all Form III students in the first stream from the six schools were provided with a questionnaire. A total sample of five Heads of School, eleven language teachers and a hundred and seventy four students were involved in this study. Interviews were conducted only to teachers. Primary data was collected through survey method using structured standardized questionnaires which were administered to Heads of school and students. The face to face Interviews were used to teachers. Secondary data was collected through documentary evidence by consulting various written works. The major findings revealed that some of the factors that contributed to student’s poor reading habit included: scarcity of books to read; high price of books and newspapers; students’ poor reading foundations and students’ ineffective use of both school and public libraries. Others were absence of reading materials and lack of reading activities in schools, lack of home support for reading and poor teaching methods. The study recommended that all schools must have libraries with relevant and interesting books and that such libraries needed to be administered by professional librarians. Furthermore, school administrations should support reading activities in their schools. Teachers should always be creative in planning their lessons so that students’ interests and enthusiasms are developed prior to learning. The public libraries should create strong relationships between their readers especially teachers and students. They should also take measures to educate all library stake holders-parents, preschool educators, day care providers, teachers, readers and other community agencies working with children about public library programmes and resources that are available to them.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF Z1003.T34N38)
Keywords
ineffective, contributing
Citation
Ndaki, J.M (2006) Factors contributing to poor reading habits and ineffective use of library services among secondary school students, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.