Browsing by Author "Mashingo, William Cosmas"

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    The perception of student teachers towards the teaching profession in Tanzania: a case of Marangu teachers college
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Mashingo, William Cosmas
    The study sought to examine student teachers’ perceptions towards the teaching profession at Marangu Teachers’ college in Kilimanjaro. Specifically, the study examined the beliefs and perceptions of student teachers towards the teaching profession, the challenges facing student-teachers during their training process and their effects on student-teachers perception towards the profession, and the student –teachers’ expectations on the teaching profession. The Open system perspective model was adopted to guide this study. This model was preferred in this study because its elements are interdependent and they interact with one another. The study was based on quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 269 participants both first and second year diploma student-teachers at Marangu Teachers’ College were involved in the questionnaire study and data collected was analyzed quantitatively. Quantitative data were extracted, classified and computed using SPSS into frequencies and percentages and therefore presented in tables. The findings of the study revealed that the majority (83.7%) of the diploma student-teachers had negative perception towards the teaching career. They either pursued teaching course as the only alternative having failed to obtain grades needed to join other professions, or due to parents’ influence to join the teaching profession. Consequently, the results of the study revealed that the majority (62.4%) of student-teachers did not intend to work as teachers upon graduation given other job opportunities. Therefore, this study calls for concerted efforts by the Government and other stakeholders to improve the working conditions of teachers such as teaching and learning infrastructure, and better salaries so as to make the teaching profession attractive to young people and to vitalize their commitment in the teaching profession.