An exploratory study of how libraries in community day secondary schools support learning in Malawi: the case of selected community day secondary schools (CDSSs) in Mzimba north

Abstract

This study explored how libraries in CDSSs support learning in Malawi. It pursued this objective by looking at the presence of libraries; how they are used by both students and teachers; challenges facing library provision and how the challenges are being overcome. The theoretical framework that guided this study was constructivism. The study followed a phenomenological, qualitative case study design. Data was collected through observation and interviews administered to three purposively selected CDSSs with six participants from each school also purposefully selected. The study concluded that although students are interested in library use, they are constrained by the poorly stocked and spaced libraries. The exploration concluded that libraries fail to effectively support teaching in CDSS due to poor funding resulting in poor stocks in the libraries. Despite these constraints students and teachers have been reported to make satisfactory use of limited resources.