Extent of Use of Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) in the Promotion of Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in Basic Education in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme was launched in Nigeria with the objective of providing every Nigeria child of school going age unfettered access to a 9 year compulsory, equitable, and inclusive schooling devoid of any form of discrimination. To gauge the extent to which this objective is being implemented, this researcher investigated the extent to which the teaching Learning Materials (TLM) which aid teaching and learning in the classroom promote diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA) in eduscational practice. Specifically, the researcher isolated textbook contents a variable component of TLM for the study. Two research designs, content analysis and inclusive designs were jointly used to conduct the study. Four research questions and one null hypothesis tested at alpha level of 0.05 significance guided the study. Four of the Approved and Recommended Textbook in use in Ebonyi State Basic Education were sampled for the study using simple random sampling (SRS) technique. The instrument for data collection was the Guidance for Promoting Diversity, Equity, inclusion and Access in Educational Practice (GPDEIAEP). The guidance was adapted and used for the study. The findings of the study showed that the universal design of the sampled textbooks was strong in the promotion of DEIA. The study however revealed that the character/ subject/guest; the narration/dialogue; and images were not adequate in promoting DEIA in educational practices. Furthermore, the test of the hypothesis further revealed the strength of the universal design in promoting DEIA, practices. This is because the test of hypothesis showed that a significant difference does not exist in the universal design but it existed in other criterion (subject/character, images and narration/dialogue). Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that Ebonyi State Ministry of Education should as a matter of urgency organize the review of approved textbooks and other TLMS used in schools to ensure that they promote, DEIA practices; sensitize and train textbook authors and other people who produce TLM and the general public on the need that TLMs promote DEIA; practices and ensure that only TLMS that promote DEIA practices are approved for use in schools.