Village Reading Survey - 2009
by Shamir Khan, Editor, Cayembe Telegraph
A village reading survey was recently concluded.
This survey took about a month to administer and the researcher is happy about the kind cooperation for respondents taking some time to fill up the questionnaires and also the time given for interviews.
The survey was done to learn what are the reasons for more passes in the Secondary School Entrance Examination this year and also to find out why many children are still not passing their exams with better grades in the classes. This survey was also done to hear ideas on how the village can help their children improve in reading.
Thirty six young adults and parents, one from each of the households around the hill of Yupukari, Morucca and Quatata were interviewed. 52% of these respondents are males and 47.2% are females.
Fourteen students were successful at the Secondary School Entrance Examination [SSEE] this year, the highest number and percentage of passes ever, and the respondents were asked what they think are the reasons for the children’s success this year. The responses from the highest to the lowest are as follows:
- 91.4% of the respondents said the Yupukari Public Library [YPL]
- 75% said, the Peace Corps Volunteer
- 72.2% said the Hot Meal Programme
- 69.4% said the books in the school
- 61.1% said the librarians
- 50% said the teachers
- 33.3% said the supplies in school such as paper, crayons, globes etc.
It was noted that many children are still not learning to read well enough to pass their exams in their classes. Respondents were asked their thoughts on this question and here are the answers:
- 97.2% of the respondents said children spend too much time playing
- 91.7% said the children need more/better teaching.
- 72.2% said parents don’t think education is important.
- 72.2% said the YPL should be doing more.
- 58.3% said that the children do not like school.
- 41.7% said that the children spend too much time helping with family work.
- 100% of the respondents said that parents can help their children learn to read.
Respondents were also asked what they need in order to do this. Most said they need to spend more time reading with their children and encourage them more and let them know how important it is to read and write. Some respondents said they lack commitment, some of them said there are so many resources now that we can take advantage of but, we are not taking the time to go to the library to borrow books or even seek help from persons who can help them get access to the internet.
Respondents were asked what can be done as an entire community to encourage children learn to read more and some suggestions are:
- Parents should attend the Parents Teachers and Friends Association [PTFA] meetings more often.
- Parents should visit the school to check how his/her children are doing.
- Parents should find an hour or more every day to read with their child or children.
- Mini workshops can be held with parents and teachers to make teaching aids to encourage the children.
- Some of the school day should be given to reading rather than always playing during free time in school.
- Older children should help the younger ones to read and this would encourage them to persist through difficulties.
- Parents need to get more involved in school activities.
Through the PTFA the village can organize literacy activities for both parents and pupils, for example, essay writing and poetry competition, poster designing etc.
In order to do this, a well organized fundraiser can be done in order to meet the cost of sponsorship and the PTFA has to be vibrant and active. Prizes can be given to winners, in this way encourage persons to want to take part.
Overall it appears from the survey interviews that many parents are willing to help their children learn to read but they do not know how to go about this.
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Click here to see the Village Reading Survey taken in 2006.