Teacher Training in Pakistan: Overview of Challenges and their Suggested Solutions

Abstract

Education is a key component of progress in the present-day world. But this progress cannot be made without efforts of teachers. Therefore, teacher education, in particular teacher training becomes extremely important. In this regard, several trainings programs are initiated and executed across Pakistan but the desired outcomes have not been achieved so far. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the challenges in teacher training in Pakistan and the ways through which these issues can be resolved. The sources for the data of the study were the published studies in the field in the context of Pakistan, national education policy, and other relevant literature. Based on secondary data, the study concludes that the issues with teacher training in Pakistan are administrative as well as faculty related. The findings reveal that the challenges related to policy and planning, poor induction of teachers, lack of resources in teacher training institutions, demotivation among teachers, and unequal distribution of skilled and productive teachers, dual training system and infrequent trainings. These issues can be fixed by fostering encouraging environment, ensuring accountability and merit, providing necessary resources, systematizing professional training programs and their continuation. The findings of this study will, therefore, positively guide policymakers to develop the right and effective policy to improve the standard of teacher education in the country.

Role of Primary School Head Teachers in Curriculum Implementation in Sindh

“…Among many studies in educational leadership in Sindh, Rizvi (2010) explored that proper EL improves the quality of their local education systems through increasing the diversity of application of their programs. Along with many bureaucratic and financial challenges, educational leaders also come across with lack of resources and training opportunities (Siddiqui et al, 2021). Like all other provinces, the majority of educational leaders in Sindh also believe that the job of an educational leader is to deal with financial matters and correspondence with high officials.…”

Teacher professional development for managing antisocial behaviors: a qualitative study to highlight status, limitations and challenges in educational institutions in the metropolis city of Pakistan

“…Furthermore, Dayan et al (2018) reported that one of the challenges in teacher education in Pakistan is the gap between the training theory and actual practice in the classroom, and that teachers are unable to manage conflictual behavior in the classroom even after participating in professional development programs. Other issues were reported by Siddiqui et al (2021a) include that, in addition to financial constraints, teacher education institutes lack facilities such as teaching aids, buildings, libraries, furniture, teaching materials, and other supplies. Poor management and inefficient administration are also among the most frequently cited problems (Azam et al, 2014).…”

Assessing Teacher Competencies in Public Schools of Pakistan: A Pathway for Improving the Effectiveness of Professional Development Programs for Teachers

“…As various teachers differ in performances, it has become a challenge for policymakers and school leaders to design PD programs to help all their teachers become as effective as the best teachers (Sims et al, 2021). Several training programs were initiated and executed across Pakistan but failed to achieve the desired outcome (Siddiqui et al, 2021). There is a need of systematizing professional training programs and their continuation (Arif et al, 2022).…”