A study on constraints in the use of radio programmes in primary schools in kenya. A case study of Thika Municipality.
Abstract
Radio as a teaching and learning device, has been put into use in many countries. In Kenya, no
systematic evaluation research appears to have been carried out on the effectiveness of
educational radio.
This research paper is a survey study to investigate the constraints, which affect the production
and utilization of instructional radio programmes in Primary Schools in Kenya.
In this study, attention is focused on:(i)
Quality of reception
(ii) Appropriateness of the content, presentation and scheduling of the programmes
(iii) Technical capability of the users and availability of maintenance services.
(iv) Sustain ability of schools broadcast.
The study is based on twenty schools in Thika Municipality. During the visits to the sampled
schools data was collected from teachers and learners. A Questionnaire was also administered to
the producers of the programmes at the Educational Media Services of the Kenya Institute of
Education. The Director of the Institute was a key informant and an interview was also
conducted which was recorded on tape.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyse both qualitative and quantitative data collected. Data
was scrutinized to establish any emerging patterns and summarized according to the objectives of
the study.
The study revealed that:(i)
The quality of reception in the school visited was good where the teachers and
students were able to operate the radios
(ii) Very few teachers are able to operate the Worldspace receivers since it is a new
technology which is not familiar to them. This was attributed to the fact that the
operation manual was difficultto understand. Majority were therefore not able to
correctly position the antennae and get the signal. The schools lacked service and
repair services for the radios
(iii) The broadcast content is relevant as curriculum support material for those who were
able to operate the radio. However the content is lacking support of Teachers guides
(iv) Most presenters are good and fluent, but a few are too fast.
(v) The broadcast timetable conflict with the school time table. The duration of the
programmes is considered to be too short.
(vi) Schools broadcast lacks adequate financial resources. Production costs and cost of
power for the receivers is a big challenge to its sustainability.
Citation
M.A (Communication Studies) 2008Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Arts Thesis