Study Mode

European Journal of Scientific Research
ISSN 1450-216X Vol.46 No.2 (2010), pp.179-185
© EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2010
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm

Teacher Training in Pakistan: Problems and Solutions for
Student Teaching Preparatory Programs
Muhammad Sarwar
Assistant Professor of Education, Department of Education, University of Sargodha (Pakistan)
E-mail: drsarwar@ymail.com
Tel: 0092-321-8600055
Shafqat Hussain
Assistant Professor of Education, Department of Education, GC University Faisalabad (Pakistan)
Abstract
Student teaching is a unique opportunity for inexperienced, pre-service teachers to
develop a clear professional identity and explore the full responsibilities of a practicing
teacher while having solid, supervisory support from an experienced educator. However,
this valuable educational opportunity needs improvement in today’s Pakistani educational
system. The study incorporated student teachers, cooperating classroom teachers, and
school administrators in the Punjab Province. Two local university education departments
and, more specifically, four colleges designated for elementary teacher training affiliated
with Pakistan’s University of Education, were used for the study through sampling
techniques. Eighty-four student teachers, cooperating teachers, and school principals were
interviewed. In addition, a rating scale was administered to 150 student teachers and 44
cooperating teachers selected from the above mentioned institutions. The analysis of data
revealed that Pakistani trainee-teachers were weak in discipline, lesson planning, classroom
management, and content knowledge. They face the problems of transport, rigid school
discipline, communication problems in English, and difficulty of teaching junior classes.
These problems can be solved by more rigorous training in the above said weak areas. This
manuscript discusses research findings, identifying both problems and solutions for
Pakistan’s student... [continues]

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