Challenges to the Implementation of PLAP in Primary Schools: Perceptions of ZOU Bachelor of Educational Management Students

Abstract

The study explored the challenges that impact on the implementation of PLAP in the Primary schools. The research was conducted with teachers who study towards the BEd Management degree with Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) in the Midlands Region. The study used a qualitative research approach and collected data through open ended questionnaires and interviews. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants for this study. Data were thematically analysed in line with the qualitative research approaches. The study explored and found out that work over load, lack of resources, diagnosis of learner problems and implementation of continuous assessment are challenges that militate against implementation of PLAP .These factors contributed to lack of motivation of teachers to effectively implement PLAP at classroom level. This calls for the government and stakeholders in education to seriously look into factors that are de-motivating teachers to implement government education programmes effectively.

Keywords: Performance Lag Address Programme (PLAP), challenges, continuous assessment, primary schools.