Trainees’ Familiarity with Guiding Standards for Quality Assurance in Teacher Training in Selected Universities in Mozambique

Trainees’ Familiarity with Guiding Standards for Quality Assurance in Teacher Training in Selected Universities in Mozambique

Seviria Muvuti
Department of Educational Administration
University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya
Email: sevymvt@gmail.com

Abstract: Guiding standards are essential for the successful practice of quality assurance controls and goal achievement. However, despite clear standards, the teacher education system globally still experiences challenges. Conducted in four government universities in Mozambique over a period of 2 years in Manica, Sofala, Inhambane and Zambezia provinces, this study examined participants’ familiarity with guiding standards for quality assurance in teacher training. The research questions were, ‘How familiar are fourth year teacher education students in Mozambican universities with the standards for quality assurance? and ‘Are there Relationships among Quality Assurance Guiding Standards?’ The descriptive survey design was used. The target population were teacher trainees in fourth year. 242 questionnaire respondents (129 males and 113 females) were selected using simple random sampling, with ages ranging from 18 to 50 years. The response rate was 81.2%. The reliability test on questionnaire items established a Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.921. Findings showed a high standard deviation on items that sought to ascertain existence of a QA (Quality Assurance) department (1.02023). Heterogeneous responses on the question that sought to confirm the existence of a quality assurance department showed moderate evidence of the implementation of guiding standards. A strong positive relationship was also found when administration functions were correlated with lecturer roles (.650). The study recommended establishment of a QA department in teacher training universities; and that Ministry of Education, Science and Technology ensures that all stakeholders in teacher training universities are familiarized with QA standards and guidelines through training, workshops, induction and orientation programs.