RP-Department of Educational Foundations

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Browsing RP-Department of Educational Foundations by Author "Gathara, Peter Mugo"

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    Continuing Professional Development Dilemma of Information Provision for Secondary School Teachers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya
    (Msingi Journal, 2019) Gathara, Peter Mugo
    The objective of this study was to explore and analyse provision of information to secondary school teachers’ in their endeavour to participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In the current educational era, the trial and error teaching, and take it or leave it professional development programmes are no longer acceptable. In this respect, teacher training entails more than the mastery of certain practical knowledge, pedagogical skills, and techniques. Therefore, CPD plays an important role in teacher development geared towards classroom improvement. This paper highlights the need for secondary school teachers to be provided with information about CPD. This is significant in that CPD is hoped to provide a basis for teacher professional improvement discussion in Kirinyaga County. CPD will lead to constructive discussions by appropriate education experts in Kenya on vital professional development challenges that involve provision of information. Hopefully, CPD would stimulate educational research geared towards secondary school teacher improvement. The methodology used entailed a mixed method study design that involved analysis of macro and micro aspects using quantitative and qualitative techniques in the collection of data. A vertical case study method was used in sampling of twelve secondary schools in Kirinyaga County. The sampled schools were further subjected to a survey method where questionnaires were administered to teachers while six others were subjected to an in-depth case study involving teachers and principals. In the schools where case study was used, data was collected using in-depth interviews with principals and teachers. Teachers were further subjected to Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The data collected was analysed qualitatively, though quantitative data was used for clarification where it was found necessary. The study found out that there is disparity on information provision from the different groups of people expected to provide critical information to teachers. Teachers need to be provided with information on CPD so that they can improve their professional status geared to classroom practices. The limitation of this study is that the findings could not be generalized to other schools and regions within the country without modification.