Views and preferences of parents, teachers and principals on the implementation of the language policy in primary schools in Namibia: an explorative study in the Khomas region

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Periodical article

Title:	Views and preferences of parents, teachers and principals on the implementation of the language policy in primary schools in Namibia: an explorative study in the Khomas region
Editor:	Mostert, Maria Louise
Year:	2012
Periodical:	Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (ISSN 2026-7215)
Volume:	1
Issue:	2
Pages:	167-177
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Namibia
Subjects:	primary education languages of instruction
Abstract:	In 2011, semi-structured interview guides were used to interview 3 school principals, 9 teachers and 10 parents on their views of the government language policy for grade 1 to grade 3 learners. The schools (one urban, one peri-urban, and one rural one) were located in the Khomas region in central Namibia. It was found that the parents favoured English as a medium of instruction in the first three grades of formal education, whereas the teachers preferred the mother tongue, which was in line with government policy. Some teachers even suggested that this continue up to grade 6 or 7. Some school heads were concerned about the language proficiency of teachers. The ministry has plans to upgrade the English proficiency of teachers. The authors emphasize that neglect of the local language may impede the transfer of literacy skills from one language to another, especially in a subtractive educational environment. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]