An Examination of the Challenges of Using English as a Medium of Instruction in South Sudan Primary Schools

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to examine the challenges of using as a medium of instruction in South Sudan primary education level.  The study used document analysis, interviews and observations as methods of collecting data. Data were thematically analysed. The study established that the language policy of South Sudan states that English is the medium of instruction in South Sudan education system. The study found out that there were numerous faced by challenges schools in disseminating knowledge and skills using English as the medium of instruction. These challenges include the Arabic background of students and teachers as well as lack of adequate teaching materials to support the use of English as a medium of instruction in primary schools. The study also found out that, despite the shift in the medium of instruction from Arabic to English, there is still persistent use of Arabic language in the schools and this hampers pupils’ interactions in English which is the officially recognized medium of instruction. It further found out that there is lack of adequate support from government in terms of provision of resources to support schools in using English as a medium of instruction. This affects the pupils’ abilities to acquire knowledge and skills in using the English language.