Evaluating the Implementation of the remedial education programme in Zimbabwe urban primary schools

Abstract

This study intended to evaluate the implementation of the remedial education programme in Zimbabwe urban primary schools. The population consisted of 120 urban primary schools and simple random sampling was used to come up with a sample of 30 schools. Structured interviews were carried out with all the thirty school heads and all the 60 remedial teachers who were purposively sampled from the selected schools. The study established that teachers and school heads effectively practised the whole school approach although they were aware of the requirements of Chief Education Officer Circular Minute Number 12 of 1987. It was also established that the selection of learners into the remedial programme was mostly based on classroom performance and teachers used the methods that they considered to be suitable. The major challenges established were lack of proper guidance and supervision by the remedial tutors from Schools Psychological Services and Special Needs Education (SPS &SNE) Department and the large numbers of children requiring remedial education. The study recommended that school heads should influence the attitudes of teachers and parents towards remedial education. It also recommended that remedial tutors should be more involved in the supervision of remedial programmes and that Circular Minute Number 12 of 1987 be revised in light of inclusive policies.