Developing Reading Skills in Beginning Readers in Nigerian Primary Schools towards the Millennium Development Goals

Against the objective of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), this study investigated impediments to the reading competence of primary school learners in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The objective was to determine how reading approaches such as pointing at words, vocalization and sub-vocalization, excessive eye fixation, regression as well as involvement in extensive reading and teachers’ instructional techniques relate with the academic performance of learners at the basic education level. The study which employed a simple survey design raised three hypotheses as a guide, while 200 pupils selected through a stratified random sampling technique responded to an achievement test of a 12-item questionnaire. The resulting data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistics. The findings revealed that wrong reading approaches, learners’ non-involvement in extensive reading and teachers’ instructional techniques significantly relate with the reading competence of learners in Nigerian primary schools or the basic education level. Based on the findings, the study recommended among other things that teachers should diversify and improve on their instructional techniques to meet the current objectives of the Millennium Development Goals.