Reflective professional learning practices of Ethiopian primary school teachers: the gap between practice and theory

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored the discrepancy between the actual reflective professional learning practice of Ethiopian primary school teachers and what has been voiced theoretically. The study employed a constructivist world view, which prompted qualitative methods of inquiry. The data-gathering tools used were in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). The thematic analysis indicated that there exists a gap between the actual reflective practice of primary school teachers and what has been voiced theoretically. The absurdly low payment of teachers is found to be the main reason that demotivated teachers from engaging in continuing reflective practice to improve their knowledge and practice. Teachers seem to have lost passion and enthusiasm for professional learning activities, and they assume reflection merely for compliance purposes. This resulted in pseudo-reflective professional learning practice where the link between theory and practice is loose.