Research on classroom language in Tanzania to be awarded Doctorate
A second EdQual-sponsored PhD student has passed their viva and is set to be awarded a doctorate. Gastor Mapunda, from the University of Dar es Salaam, has been researching the impact that language of instruction has on classroom interaction in rural Tanzania. Gastor passed his viva in April 2010.His work was associated with EdQual's Language and Literacy project.
In his thesis Gastor looked at how effective the use of Swahili was in terms of classroom interaction, given the policy of only using Swahili in primary schools in Tanzania. He found that where Swahili was not the language of the community surrounding the school, classroom interaction was minimal. Where Swahili was the community language there was good classroom interaction.
Gastor suggests this means the policy of only using Swahili disadvantages pupils who live in areas where it is not the main language, and recommends changes in policy, practice and teacher training to address this. More information about Gastor’s research can be found in his thesis abstract (23.5 kB).
Gastor was the only EdQual student to take up the option of a split-site studentship. Whilst he was registered at the University of Dar es Salaam, he spent several months based at the University of Bristol, where he was supported by two advisors and took two taught units from the Graduate School of Educations Ed.D. programme.
His main supervisor was Prof. Daniel J. Mkude, University of Dar es Salaam. Prof. Casmir Rubagumya, formerly University of Dar es Salaam, currently University of Dodoma, joint-supervised a part of the Ph.D.
Prof. Pauline Rea-Dickins, Dr. Richard Kiely and Dr. Katie Scott all supported Gastor as advisors at the University of Bristol. Prof. Pauline Dickins is now at the Institute of Educational Development, Eastern Africa campus, the Aga Khan University. Dr. Katie Scott is now at Newcastle University.
We are especially pleased that Gastor has demonstrated the potential of the split-site model for doing a PhD by completing within three 3 years.
Gastor was attached to the Language and Literacy project and also contributes to EdQual as a researcher.
