Preparation Of Teacher Educators Towards Effective Supervision Of Teaching Practice:A Case Study Of Teacher Education University College In Tanzania

Teacher educators are the important personnel in ensuring proper preparation of the future teaching workforce through various activities including supervision of teaching practice.However there have been noted various supervisory malpractices during teaching practice period and thus questioning the preparation of teacher educators to carry out the supervisory role.This study aimed at examining the preparation of teacher educators towards supervision of student teachers during the teaching practice.This qualitative case study was guided by four research objectives,namely: to examine the preparation of teacher educators regarding the role of supervising student teachers during the teaching practice;examine the actual supervision during the teaching practice with regard to the preparation in place;examine the challenges that a teacher educator is facing when carrying out supervision roles during teaching practice;and propose the strategies that will ensure proper preparation of teacher educators for supervision of student teachers during teaching practice.The data relevant to the study objectives were obtained through focus group discussions,observation,document review,and in-depth individual interviews with teacher educators,mentor teachers,and students.The produced data were examined using Braun and Clarke thematic analysis.The study findings indicate that at the core there is a bigger problem that has to do with the standards which have been put in place to ensure the employment of teacher educators in teachers colleges and universities.The unclear employment standards lead to the employment of unqualified teacher educators who showed a surface knowledge on teacher education and specifically in supervision of student teachers during teaching practice.Furthermore the study indicates that there is a lack of training that is geared towards the preparation of supervisors to supervise student teachers during teaching practice and thus contributing to the malpractice in carrying out their role.The study findings indicate the presence of only an on job seminar which is very weak and it acts as the only option that the Teacher Education College and Universities rely on.Thus the study findings suggested that the teacher supervisors are not well prepared to carry out their roles and as a result they end up messing up their roles.The study concluded with the call to the government as well as teachers colleges and universities to make the needful to ensure proper training of teacher educators with respect to supervision tasks.The study recommends the government through its agencies responsible with education matters;to specify the qualities that identify a teacher educator;to come up with higher degree programmes that will accommodate the graduates who aspire and qualify to become teacher educators;as well as to prepare comprehensive and permanent on job training for teacher educators.Furthermore the study recommended the teachers colleges and universities to ensure that;they establish a permanent partnership with schools so as to allow an interaction which will allow teacher educators to have a lot of time to practice and to be aware of various practices that are occurring in school;and to ensure proper practice in carrying out the supervisory on job training so as to ensure proper nurturing of student teachers.