Teacher training for primary school musical arts education in Botswana : problems and proposals

Abstract

Primary school teacher education in Botswana has undergone a tremendous change in recent years. The former two-year Primary Teaching Certificate has been phased out and replaced by a three-year diploma in primary education. In the three-year teacher training programme, students have the liberty to specialize in two subjects. Since teacher education plays a pivotal role in the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of the curriculum, it is envisaged that the three-year programme will adequately equip students to ensure efficient and effective syllabi delivery. It is on this premise that this study examined the training of primary school teachers for musical arts education in Botswana’s colleges of primary education. It further identifies the problems in the teacher training programme and proposes ways in which the music training programme could be improved. The research was conducted following a survey method in which data collection techniques of questionnaires, interviews and observations were used. Primary school teachers responded to the questionnaire and some were observed. College lecturers were interviewed. In addition, some important insights were obtained from literature and have been incorporated in this study. Information obtained revealed that students are admitted at the colleges of education with little or no formal music education and this makes it difficult for them to choose music as an area of specialisation. The syllabi that are used for the two music categories do not differ much; there is inadequate allocation of time for music lessons. The syllabi do not cover much African music, concentrating more on Western educationists than on African ones. Colleges of education lack resources for effective training and the emphasis is more on the theoretical aspect than the practical component. The study indicates that teachers are of the opinion that the training they undergo does not adequately equip them to face the challenges of the CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) syllabus - which deals with practical subjects of which music is one. Consequently, very few activities are employed when teaching the CAPA syllabus at primary schools. Primary schools also lack musical instruments. Teachers are unable to integrate music with other art forms because the training does not include the integration of arts education. These are some of the problems faced by the teacher training as revealed by this study. The research proposes ways in which the admission can be done and the syllabus for musical arts education which can then be used at colleges. There are also recommendations to be considered by the Ministry of Education, music educators and parents, in order to improve musical arts education in Botswana.