Factors affecting the use of teaching aids in primary schools in Ileje district, Mbeya region

This study investigated the factors affecting the use of teaching aids in primary schools in Ileje district. In particular, the study aimed at examining the types of teaching aids used in the schools, identifying criteria for selection of good quality teaching aids, determining the extent of teaching aids usage and identifying institutional and individual factors influencing the use of teaching aids in the schools. It employed case study design and qualitative research approach. The study conducted in four primary schools of Ileje district in Mbeya region. It involved 41 respondents including eight subject teachers who were obtained through stratified and simple random sampling, 24 pupils were obtained through simple random sampling and four academic teachers, four head teachers, and DCIS were obtained through purposive sampling. Interviews, focus group discussion, documentary review and observations were used as data collection methods. The obtained data was analysed through content analysis. The study established that the types of teaching aids used in sampled primary schools were exclusively visual aids such as drawings, pictures, wall maps globes and models. Audio and audio visual aids were not used at all. Criteria used by teachers to select good quality teaching aids involved the relevance of teaching aids to the subject matter, cognitive level of development of the learners as well as meeting educational objectives and learners needs. It was also found that the extent of teaching aids usage in the schools was minimal. Finally the findings revealed that the institutional factors influencing the use of teaching aids in the schools were inadequate funds, examination pressure, and lack of motivation to teachers, while the individual factors involved lack of creativity, educational background of teachers and inadequate skills on the use of teaching aids due to partial training. The study recommends that the government funds allocation process should consider teaching aids especially audio and audio visual teaching aids. School administrators especially head teachers and academic teachers should make frequent follow-up to teachers to ensure that teaching aids are used frequently in teaching. In the area of absence, teachers are encouraged to prepare teaching aids by using locally available materials. The Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) should establish teaching aids development unit at regional and district levels and strengthening teachers resources centres (TRCs) for effective utilization of teaching aids. Also government through MoEVT should sponsor skills enhancement for teachers in order to train and retrain them about the use of teaching aids.