Factors Influencing Rural Foundation Phase Learners’ Underperformance in Reading and Mathematics in Primary Schools in South Africa: Teacher Perspectives
{"title":"Factors Influencing Rural Foundation Phase Learners’ Underperformance in Reading and Mathematics in Primary Schools in South Africa: Teacher Perspectives","authors":"Julie Shantone Rubbi Nunan","doi":"10.7459/ct/37.2.06","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Foundation phase (grade R to 3) learners’ underperformance against the curriculum is a growing concern in primary school. In South Africa, reports reveal a large number of learners underperforming in Reading and Mathematics. To understand this phenomenon, focus group discussions\n (FGDs) were held with 17 foundation phase teachers to probe their perspectives for qualitative data collection. Thematic results revealed many factors that could influence learners’ underperformance. Social constructivism and development theories highlighted the importance of scaffolding\n learning. Education authorities should consider these factors in curriculum design and implementation to mitigate learners’ underperformance in reading and Mathematics in primary schools.","PeriodicalId":35186,"journal":{"name":"Curriculum and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Curriculum and Teaching","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.7459/ct/37.2.06","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"Social Sciences","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Foundation phase (grade R to 3) learners’ underperformance against the curriculum is a growing concern in primary school. In South Africa, reports reveal a large number of learners underperforming in Reading and Mathematics. To understand this phenomenon, focus group discussions
(FGDs) were held with 17 foundation phase teachers to probe their perspectives for qualitative data collection. Thematic results revealed many factors that could influence learners’ underperformance. Social constructivism and development theories highlighted the importance of scaffolding
learning. Education authorities should consider these factors in curriculum design and implementation to mitigate learners’ underperformance in reading and Mathematics in primary schools.
期刊介绍:
Curriculum and Teaching, first published in 1985, is an established, refereed international journal publishing original research from throughout the world which deals with major up-to-date issues and trends in curriculum theory and practice. The journal uses a balanced and comparative perspective to consider curriculum design and development, evaluation, curriculum models, comparative studies in curriculum, innovation and policy, planning, and educational administration. The journal’s object is to advance the study and development of curriculum and teaching, with a view to improving teaching and pedagogy. Curriculum and Teaching provides an impartial forum for scholars throughout the world, working in the area of curriculum studies. Curriculum and Teaching is double blind peer reviewed. The journal has no publication fees.