The Impact of Hostel Conditions on Learning and Reading Ability of

Abstract

This paper is an extract from the main study that explored the challenges Khoe
children encounter in reading texts in English at Motshegaletau Primary School in
Botswana. The paper focuses on the influence hostel conditions can have directly or
indirectly on the Khoe learners' learning and reading ability. As the education
system aspires to eradicate illiteracy and offer quality education for all starting at
primary school level the reading skill should be central to this. Reading enhances
learning and therefore the two cannot be separated. Indeed there are challenges in
trying to achieve the educational goals set forth. Therefore, this study investigated
the hostel conditions where Khoe children reside during the school term to see how
the condition and status of the hostel affect their learning and reading ability. It is
important to highlight the importance of the reading skill across the curricula and as
such learners should acquire and master it for successful academic life and the world
of work. Teacher questionnaires, teacher and student semi- structured interviews and
hostel inspections were done for data collection. The findings indicated that there is
violence, poor maintenance status of hostel and irregular monitoring of students by
authorities. These unbecoming conditions indirectly cripple the acquisition of the
reading skill as there is barely any practice of learning at the hostel. The study
therefore, recommends a review of the hostel situation so that instead of being a
brooding place for reckless behaviour, it can be conducive for reading and learning.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 5 2008: pp. 14-27