TITLE:
An Analysis of a Teacher Education Programme at a Namibian Tertiary Institution
AUTHORS:
Kristofina Junias, Linus Kambeyo, Kelvin Mubiana Katukula
KEYWORDS:
Teacher Training, Curriculum Materials, Teacher Educators’ Quality, Student Teachers’ Quality
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: Teacher quality is a crucial element of quality education, and it is dependenton the quality of teacher education. Thus, this study analyses the teacher trainingprogramme at a Namibian university to determine its quality. Four quality determining components were analysed: students and teacher educator qualities; curriculum materials; teaching and learning process; and teaching practice. This qualitative study employed a single case study design. Four research instruments were used to collect data: document analysis, focus groupinterviews, questionnaires, and observations. The sample comprised onehundred and sixty (160) pre-service students, one (1) focus group of fifteen (15) graduates, sixteen (16) teacher educators, and three (3) focus groups with a total of thirty (30) pre-service students. The significant findings of this study were that average students enrol for the teacher education programme because of extrinsic and other motives other than intrinsic and altruisticreasons. In addition, the teacher education curriculum was found to be overcrowded with fragmented modules. Further, the subject matter content was notaligned with the school curriculum; students exit with little subject matter knowledge. The study also found that the assessment of pre-service students lacked authenticity as assessment questions do not test the understanding and application of knowledge. Additionally, the lecture method dominated the pedagogies employed, promoting rote learning. Another factor was poor teaching practices characterised by inadequate time allocation and lack of mentoring support from the school. Thus, a lot is desired from the teacher education programme; hence, the study recommends a longitudinal study to be carried out involving all higher education institutions in Namibia that offer a teacher education programme to see if the findings would be the same.