Teachers' perception on the use of single textbook as opposed to multiple textbook systems in primary school: a case of Morogoro municipality

The study investigated Teachers' Perception on the Use of Single Textbook as Opposed to Multiple Textbooks systems in Morogoro Municipality. Firstly, the study assessed the knowledge of teachers about the importance of using single textbooks system. Secondly, it examined teachers' attitude toward the use of single textbooks Thirdly, it examined textbook stakeholders' responses towards the use of single textbooks Finally, it examined the challenges associated with the use of single textbook as opposed to multiple textbooks systems in primary schools. The study comprised a total of 180 respondents including one hundred and sixty primary teachers from Morogoro Municipal, five textbooks publishers, 2 book suppliers 2 TIE (curriculum developers), 2 MoEVT (policy planners), 2 EMAC members and seven parents. The study used various instruments of data gathering questionnaires, documentary review and personal interviews for data gathering. Findings revealed that out of 160 of the primary school teachers interviewed, 50 (31.25%) were satisfied with the use of multiple textbooks system while 102 (75% ) were dissatisfied and 8 (5%) were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Some of the reasons for dissatisfaction included; the system brought confusion among teachers, pupils, book publishers and book suppliers. The study recommends that Tanzania should use single textbook system because it eliminates all textbooks stakeholders' confusion. Textbook stakeholders should be given training on the importance of the use of single textbook system in primary schools. Findings also recommend that there was no need for distribution of books based on zones, as if there was to be two Zonal National Examinations.