Investigating primary and middle school physical education teachers’ professional knowledge of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored the status of primary and middle school physical education (PE) teachers’ professional knowledge competence (PKC) in the Amhara Region, in Ethiopia. For this, a quantitative research approach was employed and data were collected from 382 randomly selected PE teachers and analysed quantitatively. Findings revealed that the overall PKC of PE was low. Statistically, a significant difference was observed among PE teachers in their content knowledge (CK), pedagogical knowledge (PK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and PKC. Female PE teachers, novice PE teachers, and rural PE teachers were less competent in their CK, PK, and PCK. Besides, unlike in their PK, degree-holder PE teachers have better CK, PCK, and PKC than diploma holders. Accordingly, due care and special intervention need to be given by the education actors in the recruitment, training, and deployment of PE teachers in Ethiopia.