Professional Documents
Culture Documents
- In the 1940s and 1950s Makerere was the only higher education
institution in East Africa.
- In 1945 Makerere was offered a university status through special
arrangement with the University of London.
- Hence a department of education was established (Bokongo and
Otiende, 1986).
- The department awarded postgraduate diplomas and teaching
certificates.
- The graduate teachers taught in secondary schools.
Conclusion
Although some research findings have indicated that the teachers who
were trained by this mode were not different from other grade C teachers.
It has been observed that the DTE program was more politically motivated
and was not well planned.
- Hence, this affected the quality of the teachers that were trained
under this scheme.
- Consequently, these teachers trained through DTE have been cited
as one of the factors that have undermined the UPE efforts
in Tanzania.
- The DTE was found to be inadequately planned.
- It lacked of proper infrastructure for supporting and assisting
student teachers in the schools.
- It lacks of appropriate mechanism for assessing and monitoring
their recruitment and progress.
In 1984 in-service program which was partly residential and partly distance
was introduced to upgrade the qualification of the primary school teachers
and their competencies.
- The aim of the program was to upgrade all grade C/B teachers to
grade A by 2007.
- The courses offered include both academic and pedagogical content
relevant to the primary school context.
- There were 16 modules of subject taught in primary schools
including cross-cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS, Environmental
Education, Family life Education and Children Rights.
- Primary teacher education by distance program was structured in
16 modules each divided in 26 units.
- The teaching involved distance learning and face-to-face sessions.
- Teachers were required to do exercises in the modules and submit
special assignments for marking.
- Face-to-face was conducted after every 6 months, mostly during
primary school vacations in Teacher Training Colleges or other
identified centres such as the Teacher Resource Centres (TRCs).
- Teaching practice was conducted once a year.
- Teachers sat for grade A National Examination.
- The programs were expected to be phased out in 2007 when the
participating teachers completed their studies.
Due to the nature of teacher education programs all the faculties, with the
exception of the faculty of law, participate in one way or another in the
provision of teacher education programs.
4. Conclusion
In this lecture you have learnt about the historical development of teacher
education in Tanzania during colonial period and after independence. You
have explored the various approaches used to train teachers including on-
job training, formal training sharing premises with schools and later
teacher training colleges. You have also discussed teacher training through
open and distance learning initiatives which were instituted as mechanism
to cope with rapid demands for teachers after expansion of primary and
secondary education. Also this was an opportunity to upgrade teachers and
develop them professionally. You noted that during the colonial and
immediately after independence training for graduate teachers was
conducted in Uganda at Makerere College or overseas. Discussion on
higher education has indicated that during colonial period there were no
higher education institution in Tanzania and the initiative that were
undertaken by post-colonial states of East Africa and the government of
Tanzania to establish and develop university education.
Traditional/Conventional Approach:
This approach to teacher education typically follows a
structured and prescriptive model. It often involves a
standardized curriculum with a focus on theoretical
knowledge and pedagogical techniques.
The traditional approach may include lectures, textbook-
based learning, and classroom observations as the primary
methods of instruction.
Emphasis is placed on mastering subject content and
teaching methods, often with limited practical experience in
real classrooms.
Progressive Approach:
The progressive approach to teacher education emphasizes
student-centered learning and hands-on experiences.
It encourages teachers to be reflective practitioners and adapt
their teaching methods to meet the needs and interests of
individual students.
The progressive approach may incorporate experiential
learning, collaborative projects, and inquiry-based methods.
Reflective Approach:
This approach focuses on developing teachers' ability to
critically analyze and evaluate their teaching practices and their
impact on student learning.
Teachers engage in reflective practices to identify strengths
and areas for improvement in their teaching methods.
Reflective approaches often involve journaling, peer
observations, and group discussions.
Competency-Based Approach:
The competency-based approach seeks to identify specific skills
and competencies that teachers should possess and assesses
their proficiency in these areas.
Teacher education programs may use competency frameworks
to guide curriculum development and assessment.
Competency-based approaches aim to ensure that teachers are
equipped with the necessary skills to address the diverse needs
of their students effectively.
Integrated Approach:
The integrated approach to teacher education combines
multiple elements from various approaches to create a
comprehensive and balanced program.
It may incorporate theoretical knowledge, practical
experiences, reflection, and competency-based assessments.
The integrated approach recognizes that effective teaching
requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Induction and Mentoring Programs:
Some teacher education approaches include induction and
mentoring programs for new teachers entering the profession.
These programs provide support and guidance to novice
teachers as they transition into their roles in the classroom.
Induction and mentoring programs are designed to enhance
teacher retention and professional growth.
Online and Technology-Enhanced Approaches:
With the advancement of technology, teacher education
programs increasingly incorporate online learning platforms
and digital resources.
Online approaches offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing
teachers to engage in professional development and training
remotely.
In practice, teacher education programs may integrate
elements from multiple approaches to meet the diverse needs of
aspiring educators and the requirements of the education system.
The effectiveness of a particular approach depends on the
context, goals, and priorities of the education system and the
learners it serves.