Teaching Practice at the University of Namibia: Quo Vadis?

Abstract

Teaching Practice in the four-year secondary education degree is unfortunately rated low in the teacher preparation programme at the University of Namibia due to dependence on other faculties for the prescribed academic content. Teaching Practice has to be arranged around the placement of academic courses which form part of the Bachelor of Education (honours) degree. This study set out to discover the student teachers’ views on the timing, duration and content of the current Teaching Practice of the Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree for secondary teachers, as offered by the University of Namibia. The major objective of the study was firstly, to establish the views of student teachers about their experience during the eight-week Teaching Practice in various parts of the country and secondly, to establish how Teaching Practice at the University could be revised to improve the entire training programme. The population of the study included all the students who have completed their final phase of Teaching Practice between January and March 2010 and January and March 2011. All 225 students constituted the population of the study. A questionnaire was administered in order to explore students’ responses on identified issues. The researcher collected the data personally. The study revealed that most of the student teachers experienced various challenges during Teaching Practice, which influenced the successful completion of Teaching Practice. Eventually, the findings revealed the views of student teachers on their professional and academic preparation; the timing and duration of Teaching Practice; areas where student teachers feel the Faculty could improve and students also indicated the various challenges they have experienced during their placement.