Effectiveness Of Subject Panels In Enhancing Teachers’ Professional Development In Tanzania Secondary Schools: A Case Of Zanzibar

ABSTRACT 

This study assessed the effectiveness of subject panels in enhancing teachers‟ professional development in secondary schools in Tanzania. It was influenced by the Zanzibar Education Vision 2020 that made the revival of subject panels as strategy for upgrading teachers‟ skills to solve the challenges in implementing the curriculum at school settings. The study was guided by Social Learning Theories postulated by Vygotsky (1978) and System Theories by Senge (1990) and it was embedded with various communal learning models such as Lesson Study by Stigler (1999), Peer Couching Learning Model by Knight (2007), and Social Learning Models for teacher professional development by Sparks and Loucks (1989). The cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data through a survey of 80 respondents from 10 secondary school teachers using interviews and questionnaires methods. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis while quantitative data were analyzed statistically using descriptive and inferential techniques with the aids of SPSS Version 21. Also, Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and Microsoft Excel were highly used. The findings of the study revealed that teachers have good understanding on the conception of subject panels and there is effectiveness of the activities assigned by subject panel teachers. Further, there is moderate level of teachers‟ commitment towards their subject panel duties. The subject panels have great positive impact in the teaching and learning process. It was further revealed that the school leadership has a vital role for the sustainability of subject panels in Zanzibar. However, subject panels in Zanzibar face a lot of challenges and, hence, they require improvement by making good allocation of financial and material resources, time adequacy, motivating teachers, follow-ups, clear policy to guide the programme and education for the mass awareness.