Teachers’ perception regarding students’ reading competency gap in Bangla subject: a study of selected government primary schools

Abstract

The importance of the reading ability of students is widely acknowledged as a baseline for academic success. The less understood reason is why there is a reading competency gap among our students who are studying in grades 3 and 4. This study adds to the literature by investigating the perception of Government Primary School teachers of Chandgaon Education Thana, Chattogram about the reasons for the reading competency gap and how to address this issue. This study dug out that primary school teachers lack sincerity towards students and they perceive the student-teacher ratio as the biggest obstacle for them to achieve the reading competency of students. This study found strong links between the student-teacher ratio and classroom practices that they cannot reach students individually within the given contact hour. Additionally, extra administrative work and fewer feedback opportunities made their work more vulnerable. Not following the curriculum step by step was another reason for this gap which teachers perceive as the outcome of a huge number of students. The implication is to reduce the student-teacher ratio along with providing enough facilities to the teachers so that they can remain motivated and sincere towards their students.