Assessing competency of Pakistani primary school teachers in mathematics, science and pedagogy

Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating the competency level of primary school teachers in the disciplines of science, mathematics and pedagogy. The sample comprised 1,800 randomly drawn Primary Teaching Certificate (PMC) teachers working in different state primary and middle/elementary schools of 22 districts of the Punjab province. The competency was determined by developing standardised achievement tests in each of the three subjects. The results show teachers have a low level of competency in all these three areas. On average, their achievement rate remained 30.8 percent in mathematics, 34.1 percent in science and 39.2 percent in pedagogy; even below the minimum set criterion of 40 percent against each subject. Gender was found to be a significant indicator in the study that the competency level of female PTC teachers was lower than their male counterparts’.

Better Teachers, Better Results? Evidence from Rural Pakistan

“…Apart from infrastructural deficiencies, the low quality of schooling in Pakistan has also been attributed to a low teaching level (Khamis and Sammons, 2004;Saeed and Mahmood, 2002;Westbrook et al, 2009). Implementing the right policies concerning teachers could improve the quality of primary schooling in Pakistan.…”

Attitudes to School Science held by Primary Children in Pakistan

“…At the lower phase of primary schooling, 80% of science teachers were without professional training in 1992 (Iqbal & Mahmood, 2000), which only exacerbates the conceptual difficulty of science lessons. Even when teachers have the requisite training, Saeed and Mahmood (2002) found the competency levels in mathematics and science to be very low, especially when the teachers have to show understanding and application of their knowledge. The sample of teachers tested by Saeeed and Mahmood were only one-year trained but represent the major category of qualified teachers in the schools at 15% (MoE, 2006).…”

Head Teachers’, Teachers’ and Parents’ Perceptions of Failing Primary Rural Schools in Sheikhupura

“…Similar results were found by a studies conducted by Ahmad and Malik (20110, Rehmani (2003). Christie and Afzaal (2005), Saeed and Mahmood (2002). Shah and Afzaal (2004) disclose that there has been an increase in the amount of the periodic of questions and only the selected material is tested again and again in our pubic examinations.…”