EFFECT OF DRAMA ACTIVITIES ON PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS IN ENGLISH IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN GASAKA SECTOR, RWANDA: THE CASE OF E.P SUMBA

Abstract: The present study aimed to examine effect of using drama activities on performance of learners in English in primary schools of Gasaka Sector. Drama technique encourages the participations of pupils in the learning of English language. In other words, language practice is the driving force in language learning. By participating through drama activities learners acquire communicative skills, fluency, self-confidence, creative skills, and reading skills and so on. In order to achieve the objectives assigned to this study, four kinds of research methodology have been used in order to know the extent to which drama activities are used and their importance in English classroom in Rwandan primary schools. These methods are the questionnaire, interviews, documentation, and observations of live teaching sessions. The study reveals the positive effect of teaching English through drama on pupil’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. It sheds light on the method of putting pupils in authentic situations to help them discover their hidden creativity and overcome their fears. It is to promote their sense of critical thinking; problem solving, reasoning, analysis, interpretation, synthesizing information, research skills and practices; interrogative questioning, creativity; artistry, curiosity, imagination, innovation, personal expression and perseverance; self-direction, planning, self-discipline, adaptability and initiative, drama approach should be adapted to improve the academic performance. This study revealed the importance of engaging pupils in the process of teaching and learning of English through dramatized lessons and related strategies in order to enhance English language mastery in primary schools; ended with recommendations to enable pupils and teachers benefit greatly from drama activities. E.P SUMBA is recommended to provide all facilities needed to help teachers and pupils to use drama activities in the process of teaching and learning English language. Teachers of language are recommended to integrate drama in their teaching and learning activities for pupils to become fluency in English language. Keywords: Drama Activities, English Language Learning, Primary School Pupils, Communicative Skills Development, Academic Performance. Title: EFFECT OF DRAMA ACTIVITIES ON PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS IN ENGLISH IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN GASAKA SECTOR, RWANDA: THE CASE OF E.P SUMBA Author: NIRYAYO ANTONY, NIRINGIYIMANA THEOPHILE, MAZIMPAKA ESRON, NUMVIYUMUKIZA ETIENNE, MBONIMANA Gamariel International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, January 2026 - March 2026 Page No: 272-282 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 09-March-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18923343 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/effect-of-drama-activities-on-performance-of-learners-in-english-in-selected-primary-schools-in-gasaka-sector-rwanda-the-case-of-ep-sumba