Accelerated learning programme and academic standard of learners in juba county, south Sudan

Abstract

The Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP) was an initiative in South Sudan to address the high demand for education by over aged children who failed to enroll and complete primary education at the right age. This study sought to establish the impact or ALP on the academic standards of the learners in Juba County, South Sudan. The study was guided by four objectives. These were; to compare the academic competence or level four A LP learners with those in primary eight. to identify the institutional challenges in the implementation /\ LP. to identify the learner challenges in attending Al.P and to establish the mitigation measures to the challenges facing the implementation of ALP. A causal comparative research design was adopted and both qualitative and quantitative methodologies used. Data for the study.was collected from a wide range of respondents comprising ALP learners, teachers, head teachers and local education leaders. In addition to the secondary data extracts, a questionnaire and an interview guide was designed to collect primary data. The final examination results for the two groups were compared using T-test for independent groups while descriptive statistics was used to analyse information collected using the questionnaire. The study revealed that. primary eight learners performed better than level four ALP candidates in the fin al primary leaving examinations. Shortage or financial resource to implement infrastructural development, enhance teachers' motivation, and low staff performance capacity were some of the institutional challenges identified to hinder the implementation of the programe . On the other hand, Low household income, competing family needs. responsibilities outside school. insecurity and poor academic performance \Vere the challenges ALP learners faced in attending to the programme for the mitigation measure s. working hand in hand with development partners. building or post primary institutions. construction and revitalisation or county education sectors, and peace building were some of the mitigation measures employed to avert challenges to the program. It was recommended that the government and the development partners increase the funding for accelerated learning programme to improve the human resource, infrastructure and other resources needed for the success of the programme.