| dc.description.abstract | Recent research in policy implementation has shown a considerable failure in policies in developing countries. One such challenge relates to the implementation of the language in education policy in Kenya which has been in existent since 1976. The LiEP has been seen to be a solution to the issue of quality, yet its implementation levels have been significantly low. This research aimed at investigating the factors influencing the effective impl~mentation of Mother tongue based multilingual education programs which are guided by this policy.
The research was guided by the following objectives: First, to establish how the education language policy influences the effective planning and implementation of mother tongue based multilingual education program. Secondly, to examine how the availability of resources influence the effective implementation of mother tongue based multilingual education program. Thirdly, to determine how the key elements of a program design influence the effective mother tongue based multilingual education program. Fourthly, to investigate how ethnic and linguistic diversity influences the effective implementation of mother tongue based multilingual education programs. And lastly, to determine the role of stakeholders in the program for effective and sustainable mother tongue based multilingual education programs.
The research study targeted a population of 20,048 and employed mixed methods of research. Multi-method designs are generally intended to supplement one information source with another, or 'triangulate' on an issue by using different data sources to approach a research problem from different points of view. Data was gathered using questionnaires, and an MTBMLE reading test, as well as, other secondary sources and analyzed using SPSS and excel.
The findings of this research indicated that the Kenyan language in education policy has succeeded in increasing the reading ability of children. This was reflected in the reading ability of some the children from Tana River county. However, the reading abilities are still low due to many factors that influence the implementation of mother tongue based multilingual programs as tested by the hypothesis of this research. Therefore the impact of the language in education policy remains limited unless these factors are addressed.
From this study it is recommended that that Policy implementation within the education sector needs further exploration so as to maximize on education outputs which are crucial for any country's development agenda. From the findings of this study, it came out clearly that effective MTBMLE was dependent on the existence of a clear language in education language policy and its implementation to the classroom level. Therefore, this policy needs to be supported with resources to aid its implementation coupled with a well designed program that is strategic. | en_US |
