Literature Circles and Primary Pupils’ Literacy Development for Nation-Building

Abstract

The literacy goal of primary education system appears to be eluding Nigerians in spite of government’s consistent reforms in the sector. Educators are worried about the increasingly low literacy attainment of school leavers, some of whom cannot read, write or converse meaningfully in the English Language. A few of them who become fluent decoders of text lack comprehension of what is read. Accusing fingers often point to the teachers for not doing the right thing- for not adopting the social interaction and group- based learning processes which involve pupils in engaged learning. This paper explores the potentialities of literature circles as a departure from the prevalent teacher- centred classroom process in developing primary pupils’ literacy as well as other social interpersonal skills for their lifelong development.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(2), 26-37, 2011