Effect Of Musical Instruments on the Teaching of Music in Primary Schools of Rukungiri District; A Case of Nyarushanje Sub-County

Abstract

In Uganda, musical instruments have been used at the elementary and primary school levels for many years and have been recognized as an excellent means to improve students' cognitive development, memory retention, creativity, and academic performance. The incorporation of musical instruments in teaching music to primary school children has, in most cases, been a laborious process. Musical instruments in primary schools have not been completely ruled out as options that can enhance the teaching of music. Besides, the current situation regarding teaching musical instruments in primary schools identified a number of problems that needed to be addressed. Further, the research proposed some measures for the musical instruments in Rukungiri district primary schools. A combination of different methods was used in the research that involved both quantitative and qualitative approaches for data collection and analysis. The outcomes of the research revealed that; there is no use of the music instruments available for the music teaching, musical instruments usage in the teaching process meet difficulties, and ways of improving the music teaching were revealed. The study suggested that; the authorities of primary schools should make sure their schools get different types of musical instruments, government helps music education in primary schools, organize teacher-pupil awareness campaigns showing the advantages of instrumental music, supplying/ training primary school teachers the ability to play various music instruments plus making music education a subject with grades at primary level. It also that further research should be conducted to assess the impact of music education in primary schools in Rukungiri district-Uganda on academic performance, cognitive development, and cultural identity and appreciation.