The role of teachers' perceptions of their profession on their professional development in secondary schools in Wakiso District.

Abstract

Teacher professional development is essential for improving student learning outcomes. However, teachers' perceptions of their profession can role their engagement in professional development. This study investigated the role of teacher perceptions of their profession on their professional development in secondary schools in Wakiso district, Uganda. The study used a qualitative approach, with data collected using interviews and focus group discussions with 24 teachers who had been teaching for more than five years. The study found out that teachers perceive their profession to be rewarding, a fallback and convenient. The study also found that teachers' perceptions of their profession had a significant impact on their engagement in professional development. Teachers who had positive perceptions of their profession were more likely to engage in both on-the-job and off-the-job professional development. Teachers who had negative perceptions of their profession were less likely to engage in professional development. The study concluded that the teacher’s perceptions of their profession are mostly negative and this causes a reduction in the efficiency and effectiveness of the teachers, it also concluded that teacher’s perceptions of their profession have an effect on their off job training causing an increase in the teacher attrition rate as teachers end up taking on courses outside of education and last that teachers’ perceptions of their profession have an effect on on-job training which transfers the burden of teacher development from the teachers to the school administration which make it costly, time consuming and unpleasant. The study made recommendations for improving teacher engagement in professional development that included: making professional development mandatory for all teachers, setting aside time for professional development, attaching remuneration to professional development and sharing professional development opportunities widely.