Abstract
The paper discussed the import of professional development programmes for primary school teachers in Nigeria. It highlighted the relevance of the primary school teacher; effective development programmes for them in relation to their teaching competences; the primary education in Nigeria, its functions and challenges confronting it; challenges facing primary school teachers. The paper further explored the objectives and forms of teachers’ development and barriers to effective teacher development programmes in Nigeria. It concluded that Mechanisms for effective teachers’ professional development should be put in place by stakeholders on a regular basis; as this is tantamount to enhancing teachers’ teaching competences and that teachers at the primary schools need regular onthe-job professional development programmes. A number of recommendations were articulated to ensure continuous and effective teachers development for practicing primary school teachers in Nigeria.
Highlights
The teacher is the human functional face that engineers the educational advancement and development of societies, as they provide and direct the education systems by fostering and sustaining knowledge, skills and experience acquisition
This is in tandem with the National Policy on Education which stated that the purpose of teacher education is to produce highly motivated, conscientious and effective classroom teachers while boosting the spirit of creativity and enquiry and assisting them to adapt the current societal ways of life; making available teachers with sound professional and intellectual background which will be applicable in their daily teaching obligations and ensuring their adaptability in an ever changing society and the world at large and to enhance their commitment to the teaching profession
Mechanisms for effective professional development of teachers should be put in place by stakeholders on a regular basis as this is tantamount to enhancing teachers’ teaching competences
Summary
The teacher is the human functional face that engineers the educational advancement and development of societies, as they provide and direct the education systems by fostering and sustaining knowledge, skills and experience acquisition. Teacher Professional development programmes can be regarded as the on-the job training for teachers that is aimed at improving and enhancing teachers’ competency skills It is the provision of avenues for the continuous updating of teachers competency, effectiveness and efficiency in skills and knowledge, a lifelong learning process which results from a meaningful interaction between these teachers and the professional environment. Professional development for teachers is a well-planned activity designed at refining and enhancing teachers’ skills, concept, knowledge, attitudes and behavior to empower them meet the demands of the teaching job (Akpan, 1999). Making available opportunities for teachers’ intensive and continuous professional development programme at all levels of education (primary school teachers, most especially) will enhance quality teaching and learning. This is because the teachers are not in tune with the current ICT knowledge and applications
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