Factors Influencing the Provision of Professional Development among Primary School Teachers in Kahama Municipality, Shinyanga Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Teachers are a way to enact any educational reforms since they have significant power over what is taught in the classroom. According to the research conducted by [1], it has been suggested that; to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of teachers, it is imperative to recognise the significance of professional development (PD) courses, specifically those focused on in-service education and training for primary school teachers (Inset-PST). The study examined the factors influencing the provision of professional development among primary school teachers in Kahama Municipality, Shinyanga Region, Tanzania. Under the mixed research approach, a convergent parallel research design was adopted. A questionnaire and an interview were employed, and a sample size of 112 was used. The results indicated that teachers’ competences, development of science and technology, challenges in teaching and learning, academic performance of the learner and employer needs are factors that influence the provision of professional development programmes. According to the study's results, there is a need for professional development programs for teachers in public primary schools because they are influenced by a variety of internal and external influences. To improve the delivery of high-quality education, the study recommended that educational leaders should ensure that public primary school teachers are given access to professional development programmes and actively participate in them.