DoesLanguageofInstructionAffectQualityofEducation.pdfVIP

Working paper 06.8 Does Language of Instruction Affect Quality of Education? Martha Qorro Does Language of Instruction Affect Quality of Education?1 By Martha Qorro2 1. Introduction Various studies have been undertaken in Tanzania on the language of instruction at the post- primary education level since the late 1970s. However, most of these studies do not relate the language of instruction to the quality of education. This paper attempts to make up for this shortfall by raising some questions. What do we mean by quality education? Who sets standards for quality education, and according to whose criteria? Is quality education universal/global or local/societal? The terms quality education and quality of education have sometimes been used interchangeably but treated as slightly different. In this paper quality education refers to the state of education a society strives to attain; while quality of education focuses on quality that we strive to improve. The paper begins by defining key terms and then addresses the question of quality of education as an issue that is inseparable from the language of instruction factor. 1.1 Defining Education Education is a development process that often includes a particular understanding of the nature of knowledge. This understanding is given expression in a particular social or ideological context with its particular policy and implementation agendas. It is an expression of how human learning and development occurs and how they can be encouraged. Education is seen as a developmental process of change for the better in the interest of the society that designs it and the individual that receives it. Education can be informal or formal. Different societies may have different views about what formal education is,