Implications of the Mismatch Between Training and Placement in Teacher Training Colleges: A Case of Mosoriot Teachers Training College, Kenya

Abstract

The single most influential school-based factor affecting student achievement is teacher quality. Teacher quality is a function of, among other variables, the training programme, teacher experience and the competence of the teacher educator. The quality of pre-service training to prospective teachers in teacher training institutions goes a long way to influence their performance in the field. This research paper examines the role of academic qualifications of college tutors, areas of specialty i.e. their major and minor teaching subjects at the college/university level , and the assigned subject area. The paper also evaluates the effectiveness of the Teachers Service Commission deployment policy. This is a case study of Mosoriot Teachers Training College, in Nandi County, Kenya. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and staff establishment records. Of the total teaching force of 71, 65 (91.5 %) tutors participated in this study. The data was descriptively analysed using percentages. The findings reveal that a) there is great disparity between teacher recruitment and deployment policy and practice where the college tutors were not teaching subjects for which they were not deployed to teach, and b) there was out-offield teaching in teacher education institutions. The researcher recommends that the Teachers Service Commission re-examine the staffing norms in Teachers Training Colleges with a view to maximize the human resource and enhance quality of training.