Exploring Teacher Variables in Addressing Gaps in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Skills Among Pupils in Basic Schools in Kano State, Nigeria

Foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills are the cornerstone of educational development, yet in Nigeria, the pathways to achieving them at the basic education level are fraught with challenges. This study explored teacher variables in relation to addressing gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) among pupils in basic schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The study adopts exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design which combines qualitative and quantitative investigation. The qualitative phase involved interview of 18 FLN teachers which generated themes around the issues of teachers’ qualifications, teachers’ perception of their roles, teachers’ instructional practices, professional training, continuous professional development, and challenges affecting effective FLN instruction. The quantitative phase was a survey which explored the perspectives of 360 basic school teachers in Kano state on the themes generated during the qualitative phase. Findings revealed that some teachers lacked the required educational background for teaching literacy and numeracy, with only 58% having studied English Language or Mathematics in college. The teachers demonstrated strong commitment to supporting struggling learners and expressed positive perceptions of learner-centred approaches. The findings also indicated a gap between teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and their actual classroom practices, particularly in the limited use of interactive instructional methods. The study further revealed that institutional challenges were perceived as major constraints, while opportunities for workshops and seminars that focused on FLN remained inadequate. The study concludes that improving FLN requires more practical initial teacher preparation, sustained professional development, learner-centred pedagogy, and stronger institutional support for teachers.