Components of Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge Associated with Children’s Acquisition of Kiswahili Pre-reading Skills in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined the components of teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge associated with children’s acquisition of Kiswahili pre-reading skills in high and low performing rural public schools, Tanzania. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were used to obtain 175 participants. Questionnaire, observation, semi-structured interview, documentary review, and tests were the methods employed for data collection. An independent sample t-test and thematic analyses were employed. Results indicated that teachers possessed moderate knowledge of Kiswahili pre-reading skills content but they had low pedagogical knowledge and knowledge of children’s thinking around Kiswahili pre-reading skills. Teachers limited pedagogical content knowledge was mainly associated with inadequate training in pre-primary education among others. Thus, teachers limited pedagogical content knowledge of Kiswahili pre-reading skills was associated with children’s low acquisition of Kiswahili pre-reading skills. To maximize children’s learning outcomes, acquisition of Kiswahili pre-reading skills in particular, comprehensive pre-service and in-service training should be guaranteed to obtain qualified teachers to teach in pre-primary schools. School quality assurance monitoring mechanisms should be strengthened and they should visit pre-primary classes and monitor Kiswahili pre-reading skills teaching process so as to improve children’s acquisition of the skills.