A management strategy for internal quality assurance in the training of student teachers in teacher training institutions in the Gauteng Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the management of internal quality assurance in the professional training of student teachers in teacher training institutions by focusing on: • the nature of teacher training in South Africa; • the nature of the management of quality assurance in education; • models for the management of internal quality assurance in education; • existing practices regarding the management of internal quality assurance in teacher training institutions in the Gauteng Province; and • a management strategy for internal quality assurance in the professional training of student teachers in teacher training institutions in the Gauteng Province..." The literature study exposed that most of the problems that South African education currently faces, can directly be related to the unsatisfactory quality of teacher training. The most critical matter regarding teacher training is the poor quality of training in teacher training institutions. In order to restore a culture of teaching and learning in South Africa there is an urgent need for the implementation of an effective strategy to assure quality improvement in the professional training of student teachers. A major finding emanating from the research was the lack of internal quality assurance processes in teacher training institutions. Consequently, an overview of models for the management of internal quality assurance in education were presented. The empirical study consisted of a structured questionnaire distributed to a sample population of managers of teacher training institutions in the Gauteng Province. It aimed to gather information about the understanding of internal quality assurance; the existing practices regarding the management of internal quality assurance; and the needs regarding the management of internal quality assurance in teacher training institutions in the Gauteng Province. The main findings of the empirical investigation revealed inefficient management of internal quality assurance in teacher training institutions; a need for a systematic internal quality assurance system to be implemented in the professional training of student teachers; and a need for a system through which internal quality assurance can be managed. A management strategy for internal quality assurance in the professional training of student teachers in the Gauteng Province was proposed. The model was structured to provide teacher training institutions with a readily usable tool for developing and managing an internal quality assurance system. An implementation strategy for systematic internal quality assurance was designed and presented. The major recommendations flowing from this study included ensuring the management of internal quality assurance in teacher training institutions through policy, management development programmes, independent audits of the internal quality management systems of teacher training institutions, and formalising quality assurance practices by way of registration and certification.