The relationship between quality of instructional materials and girl-child education at primary school level in Oyam district, Lango sub-region, Uganda

Abstract

Purpose: The main aim of this research was to determine the relationship between the quality of instructional materials and girl-child’ education in Oyam district. This thrust is significance of quality of instructional materials to girl-child’ education remains central because they have tremendous influence in the quality of teaching and learning of pupils as well as the extent of attention, they pay attention to lessons while in classrooms. This suggests that schools that fail to provide quality of instructional materials may hardly achieve the best in their pupils especially in the area of academic performance. This scenario continues to be among the reasons for wider disparities in the performance of girl-child and boys in a number of districts. Methodology: The study was guided by the cross-sectional survey using a mixed methods approach. Structured questionnaires administered to 139 respondents. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results reveal that quality of instructional materials (p<0.01,𝛽=0.36) significantly predict girl-child’ education. Also, the quality of instructional materials appears have a significant effect on girl-child’ education in Oyam district. It is therefore proposed that the Ministry of Education considers providing instructional materials as a matter of priority if academic performance of both boys and girl-child is to be improved. Further, the school authorities should devise means of ensuring that they have in place some instructional materials. This should be through a number of initiatives such as getting photocopies of some of the key resource books or providing teachers with instructional materials such that they could develop their own instructional materials where applicable. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The outcomes of this study supportive to both theory and policy on primary school education system especially concerning girl-child education because of its significance in sustainable development.