AN INVESTIGATION OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN STUDENT-TEACHERS COMMITMENT

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of commitment of University of Benin student-teachers to teaching practice. The study was guided by four research questions. Literature review covered relevant text and documents relevant to the topic.

The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of interest consists of all 300 level and 400level students of the faculty of Education, University of Benin. A sample size of 200 was selected using the Simple Random Selection Technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using simple percentage. The data was presented using tables.

The study found that student-teachers’ commitment to teaching practice exercise was negative on the overall.  Also, the study found no significant difference between levels of commitment of male and female student-teachers to teaching practice. The study also found no significant difference between sciences and humanities student- teachers commitment to teaching practice. Based on the results, it was recommended that Faculty of Education, University of Benin should ensure that all student-teachers are properly groomed in all teaching and pedagogy courses before proceeding on teaching practice, the University of Benin should allow student teachers choose where they are to be posted within the zone designated for the practice; this would to some extent alleviate the suffering of student thereby increasing their level of commitment towards the exercise, the university should endeavor to also ensure that student-teachers are paid for teaching practices. This will also help to enhance the level of commitment of the student teachers towards teaching practice.