ASSESSMENT OF THE CHALLENGES OF OFF-CAMPUS TEACHING PRACTICE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST: MANAGEMENT EDUCATION PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT The study sought to assess the challenges of the off campus teaching practice as perceived by the pre-service teacher. The descriptive survey adopted a quantitative and qualitative approach to the study with the use of questionnaires and focus group discussion as the main means for collecting data. The proportionate random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 146 out of a total population of 188 from which 24 respondents were also engaged in a focus group discussion Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Narratives were also derived to support the quantitative data. The study revealed that pre-service teachers faceda number of challenges related to staff unreceptiveness, role ambiguity, supervision issues, lesson plan issues, assessment issues, poor trainee disposition, trainee unpreparedness and inappropriate teaching method. In addition, a significant relationship was found between the challenges of staff unreceptiveness, poor trainee disposition, inappropriate teaching methods and pre-service teachers’ performance. Again, the challenges relating to staff unreceptiveness and inappropriate teaching method were statistically identified as negative predictors of pre-service teachers’ perception of the teaching profession. Moreover, there were significant differences between male and female pre-service teachers in relation to some of the challenges. However no significant differences were found in terms of challenges faced against the type of practicing school. It was recommended that the Teaching Practice Unit collaborate with supervisors and partner schools to help provide adequate experiences free from the challenges faced by pre-service teachers