| dc.description.abstract |
The purpose of this study was to see the role of mentorship in the development of
student-teachers’ professional identity development in Abi-Adi College placement
schools. This study was aimed to answer the basic research questions that; i. Do the
mentors in placement schools have the required mentorship competencies to provide the
support needed by student-teachers in practice? ii. To what extent does the mentorship
practice contribute to the development of student-teachers’ professional identity? iii.
What are the factors influencing mentorship practice in the development of studentteachers’
professional identity? This study utilized descriptive survey design with mixed
research methodological approach. The total population included in this study was 486
practicum stakeholders from these, 154 were selected as sample through systematic
sampling, cluster sampling, and purposive sampling techniques. The sources of data for
this study were the vice dean, practicum coordinators, school mentors, college teachers,
directors and third year students. Questionnaires, interviews and document analysis were
used to gather the required data. The data obtained from the participant were analyzed
quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings of the study reveal that: i) Placement school
mentors lack the required competencies to serve as mentor: ii) Third year studentteachers
in the academic year 2016/2017 have not developed the expected professional
identity from the school-based practicum experience: and iii) Despite the fact that the
mentorship practice in the case Abi-Adi College of Teacher Education partner schools
has multiple challenges, the most serious problems reported include the failure of the
college representatives to go to school to discuss the problems of the student-teachers,
practicum coordinators’ inability to give clear and precise direction to mentor teachers,
unclear linkage between practicum placement schools and college, lack of adequate
school facilities, mentors’ shortage of time and incentive expectation on the part of the
mentors. From the finding, it is concluded that placement school mentors do not seem to
have the required mentorship competences to serve as mentor and the teacher identity
development of third year student-teachers from the school-based practicum experience
were low. Therefore, to alleviate the aforesaid deficits and to enhance mentors
competencies and student-teachers professional identity, Abi-Adi College of Teacher
Education in collaboration with the partner schools should provide the needed support for
mentor teachers. |
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