Teachers’ Perspectives on Integrating Folk Music in Secondary Schools in Zambia
This questionnaire is designed to gather detailed, open-ended responses regarding the integration of folk music in secondary schools in Zambia. Your answers will be kept confidential and used strictly for academic purposes.
What is your gender?
- Female
- Female
- F
- Male
What is your highest professional qualification?
- Diploma
- Bachelors degree
- Diploma in music
- Degree BA Ed Music
How many years have you been teaching?
- 13
- 9 years 8 months
- 10
- 10 years
What subjects do you currently teach?
- Music and English
- English and Music
- Music
- Music
Have you received any formal training in music education or indigenous/folk music? Please explain.
- No
- Yes... I had attended a training in Lusaka. We discussed how it's taught and mistakes that were corrected
- I have received in music as a teacher
- Only in Music Education. Folk music is through self study.
What role does folk music play in preserving Zambian cultural identity?
- It keeps us updated to our cultural values
- It is a form of education in both the preservation of a cultural sound and transmission of cultural lessons.
How does integrating folk music in the classroom influence learners’ sense of identity and belonging?
- It helps them identify where they belong and that they still need to practice and learn more to keep them updated
- They relate songs to their back grounds The messages in the songs carry some cultural identity.
Can you describe any experiences where folk music strengthened cultural pride among learners?
- During traditional teaching... They use most songs to teach a new bride
- Yes through dancing
How can folk music promote national unity in Zambia’s multi-ethnic society?
- It acts as a reminder to where everyone belongs
- Through cultural appreciation and incorporation of multi cultural diversity.
How do you currently integrate folk music into your teaching practice?
- Asking learners to come to school with their traditional attites
- Through exploration of themes and songs that are relatable to their repertoire.we
What teaching strategies do you use when teaching folk music?
- Play songs, attires etc
- We beat pulse and words later then the tune and lyrics.
How do learners respond to lessons involving folk music?
- Positively
- They respond well and seem to enjoy the song.
How do you assess learners’ performance or understanding of folk music?
- Giving them an assignment
- Above average
In what ways can folk music be integrated with other subjects such as history or literature?
- In literature every act should come with a song
- Through turning some content into songs
What challenges do you face in integrating folk music into the secondary school curriculum?
- The curriculum has changed and some musical components have been removed
- The curriculum hasn't recognized it so much and deliberately incorporated its promotion
Do you feel confident teaching indigenous instruments, songs, or dances? Why or why not?
- Yes...... It defines me as a teacher and I am happy sharing this information to learners. It's more like a continuity of generation to generation
- Only dances.
What resources are available in your school to support folk music teaching?
- Traditional drums, attires and also songs
- Only drums.
What kind of professional development or training would help you teach folk music more effectively?
- Folk music training
- Have experts in indigenous music from instrumentalists and languages that inspire it.
How can schools collaborate with local musicians, elders, or cultural practitioners in teaching folk music?
- By involving traditional leaders
- By valuing and creating platforms where elders and preservers of it can transfere such knowledge.
How can folk music be adapted to include learners with diverse abilities and backgrounds?
- Practicing everyday
- Recognize learners strengths.
What policy or curriculum changes would you recommend to strengthen the integration of folk music in secondary schools?
- Pupil centered type of learning. It helps learners research more
- Have not less than 50% appreciation of cultural songs materials.
Is there anything else you would like to share regarding folk music and music education in Zambia?
- We keep on teaching it because remind us of who we are and what won't change about our way of life
- Nothing