Evaluation on the Implementation of Continuous Professional Development Program: The Case of EFL Teachers (Published)
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of Continuous Professional Development program the case of EFL teachers. The study investigated the attitude of teachers towards CPD program, the role of CPD in terms of delivering new knowledge and experience, the leadership support in promoting CPD and the major impediments for the implementation of CPD. The subjects of the study were 18 EFL teachers from selected Secondary schools. In addition, high schools directors and supervisors were also involved in the study. The data was collected through four tools: reflective writing, focus group discussion, interview and document analysis. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and case study method was employed. The findings of the study revealed that there is a great difference between the teachers’ beliefs and actual experiences in the practice of CPD. The study suggested that lots of challenges impede the proper implementation of CPD. Among them are heavy work load, lack of appropriate training facilities to practice CPD, shortage of financial and expert support, poor management of the program and poor initiatives to implement knowledge and awareness gained in the CPD program. Hence, it is recommended that to enhance the practice of CPD activity, teachers should get plenty of training opportunities to experience their professional activity. Moreover, financial and expert support should be given due attention to improve the current status of CPD.
Keywords: Continuous Professional Development, Evaluation, Experience, Leadership
Quality Enhancement in Teaching Using Self-Assessment Strategies: A Case Study of Selected Schools in the Zambezi Region of Namibia (Published)
This qualitative study explored how self-assessment strategies can be used to enhance quality education in schools. Purposefully sampled school principals and heads of department (HoDs) of five combined schools in the region participated in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the five participating school principals while the HoDs were engaged in a focus group interview. This study revealed that schools have common understandings of quality and quality education. The study revealed that the use of a single type of teacher self-evaluation (TSE) deprives innovative teachers from initiating and exploring other viable self-assessment strategies. Therefore, this study recommends a creative application of alternative self-assessment strategies in order to enhance the quality of education in selected schools in the Zambezi Region of Namibia.
Keywords: Continuous Professional Development, Quality Education, Self-assessment, quality education enhancement, self-assessment strategies, teacher effectiveness
Head Teachers’ Professional Management Needs and Concerns: Evidence from an Educational District in Ghana (Published)
The study explored the head teachers’ professional needs in school management. The qualitative study was underpinned by the interpretive philosophical thought. It employed a case study approach and collected data using interview guide. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 15 head teachers and 6 circuit supervisors to participate in the exercise. The study revealed that the head teachers were not unaware of the managerial skills they needed to proficiently manage their schools. However, the participants seemed to have a need in executing staff personnel services, financial and business management and school-community relationship roles. The participants also had issues with lack of pre-headship training, lack of needs assessment prior to in-service training programmes, inadequate continuous professional development programmes and lack of authority to sanction staff. The head teachers and circuit supervisors, therefore, unanimously called for pre-headship and in-service training programmes respectively for aspiring and serving head teachers to equip them with the requisite competencies for headship duties. The participants believed that continuous professional development programmes have the capacity to update and upgrade head teachers’ knowledge and skills to enhance their professional growth and development.
Keywords: Continuous Professional Development, Head Teachers, Management Needs, Pre-Headship Training
