Evaluating practical teaching approach in civil engineering training among public universities of Ethiopia: students’ view and opinion

Abstract

This study presents civil engineering students’ observations on the practical education they receive at public universities in Ethiopia. The teaching approach in Ethiopia heavily favours theory-based teaching over skills-based teaching and there has been a gap in studies addressing the issue. Final year civil engineering students from two major public universities in Ethiopia participated in the study. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistical analysis and statistical tests were carried out using SPSS to study distribution and relationship of items. Results indicated that there is a gap in the practical teaching approach at both universities, contrary to curriculum requirements and international guidelines. In addition, statistical tests indicated that theory-based teaching had decreased students’ interest in civil engineering and their satisfaction in the education they received.