Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to find out the challenges facing the teaching and learning of Agriculture as an examinable subject in primary schools in Uzumba District. The objectives of the study were to: identify challenges in the teaching and learning of Agriculture in primary schools and assess the possible solutions to the challenges. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Questionnaires were used for data collection. The study was carried out in five primary schools in the district. The study targeted teachers teaching Grades 4; 5; 6 and 7 and the School Heads of sampled schools. A total of 45 respondents consisting of 40 teachers and 5 School Heads were targeted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample teachers and School Heads. On the challenges faced in the teaching and learning of Agriculture as an examinable subject in primary school, it was found that there were challenges emanating from dissemination of Government policy, families, communities and schools that were at play. There was lack of preparedness by the Government when it introduced Agriculture in primary schools. There was no staff orientation and funding for the implementation of the new subject resulting in knowledge and skills discrepancy among teachers. Families and communities neither engaged the schools nor supported the teaching and learning of Agriculture as an examinable subject. The teaching and learning of Agriculture were negatively affected by lack of Agriculture teachers, material and resource shortage such as textbooks, specialized infrastructure and equipment. On methodologies used in the teaching and learning it was found that the teachers of Agriculture used teacher-centred methods which did not promote students’ participation in the teaching and learning which focused on passing examination. The possible solutions identified were awareness campaigns, re-training of the teachers in service, provision of funding and development of specialized infrastructure for the teaching and learning of Agriculture. It was concluded that lack of preparedness by Government, non-involvement of stakeholders, lack of qualified by teachers and material resources and use of inappropriate teaching strategies were the major challenges of teaching and learning Agriculture as an examinable subject in primary schools in Uzumba district. The study recommended that the existing teachers were re-trained in the teaching and learning of Agriculture though in-service training during school vacations as some had not encountered the subject in their career. It also recommended that the Government fund the introduction of new subjects so that resources, textbooks and equipment were availed for use in the teaching and learning.
