EXPLORING ESWATINI GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION SISWATI TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES ON ONLINE TEACHING

Abstract

The unprecedented lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rapid transition to online teaching and learning in Eswatini. The study explores EGCSE siSwati teachers’ experiences on online teaching. The objectives of the study were to: determine the platforms EGCSE siSwati teachers used for online teaching; determine the extent at which online teaching platforms are used by EGCSE siSwati teachers; and the challenges EGCSE siSwati teachers faced during online teaching. The study utilised a mixed method. A close-ended online questionnaire and semi-structured online interviews were used to collect data. Out of the 225 siSwati teachers in eight (8) clusters in the Hhohho Region, the researchers sampled (N=40) teachers using stratified random sampling. Data collected through the questionnaire was analysed descriptively while qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings revealed that teachers used WhatsApp, Google classroom, Facebook, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Most used platforms were WhatsApp (40%), Facebook (30%) while least used platforms were Google Classrooms (10%) and Zoom (5%). Nonauthentic assessment, language barrier, lack of professional expertise in ICT use, and minimal learner participation are challenges of online teaching. The conclusions were: teachers used a variety of online teaching platforms to different extents, and the major challenge is that of language barrier. Recommendations were: online teaching should be flexible; platforms should be used according to learners’ context; siSwati must be infused as a language of ICT and online assessment applications be improved in order to maximise learner participation.

KEYWORDS: Online platforms, Online teaching, EGCSE.

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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Musa S. Nxumalo, Madzanga High School, P.O. Box 104 Tshaneni, Eswatini, Email: mzethinxumalo@gmail.com Tel: (+268) 76051301