The teachers’ role in fostering independent learning in high schools in Zanzibar

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the role of teachers in fostering students’ independent learning through school library use by looking at the availability of school library materials; the patterns of school library use by students and teachers; cooperation between teachers and library staff and the different ways used by high school teachers in fostering high school students to become independent learners. The study was conducted in Zanzibar and it involved three public and two private high schools. By using survey method, a total of 95 respondents were given questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with 35 respondents including students, teachers, library staff, heads of schools and the Director of the Public Library. Observation method was used in all the schools. The main finding of this study which is based on the author’s MA dissertation revealed that school libraries were confronted with limited library stock which contains outdated and few current materials, lack of library education and limited library use habits among students and teachers, inefficient and untrained school library staff, lack of integration of information, curricula and classroom learning and lack of cooperation between teaching and library staff. A number of recommendations were made based on the findings.