Continuous Professional development for primary school teachers: Needs and Factors Hindering Teachers Participation

The government of Ethiopia has recognized quality education as a key to transform the economic and social development of the country. Teachers‟ professional development has been one of the priorities of the education sector to the realization of the country‟s ambitious goals. The aim of this study was to investigate the professional development needs of teachers and the hindering factors that affect teachers‟ participation in CPD. The study employed mixed research approach. The participants of the study were 624 primary school teachers who were randomly selected from government primary schools of North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. Data were collected by questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion from teachers, school principals, cluster supervisors and Woreda education officers. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The quantitative data were analysed by the help of percentage, mean, t-test and One-Way ANOVA. The qualitative data were analysed thematically. The study revealed that lack of incentives, work load, shortage of time, lack of support from stakeholders, and Lack of trained CPD facilitators were the most perceived barriers of CPD. Teachers were also asked to identify their professional development needs. Accordingly, subject matter knowledge, Knowledge of curriculum and classroom management skills were identified as their most preferred needs. Teaching students with special needs and action research were the least selected professional development needs. The t-test result shows that gender difference affects the perception of teachers toward the hindering factors and their professional development needs. Female teachers showed higher professional development needs than male teachers. ANOVA result shows that teachers teaching experience does not affect the perception of teachers professional development needs. But significance difference was observed between different experience groups about the hindering factors of CPD.