Challenges Encountered by Agricultural Science Student Teachers During Teaching Practice in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Teaching practice is a vital aspect of teacher training programme which is usually undergone by students with varied experiences and challenges. The study examined teaching practice experience of agricultural science student teachers in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ilorin and Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin in 2018. The study adopted a survey research design. The population for this study was all the 400 level Agricultural Science student teachers of University of Ilorin and NCE III students of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. Sixty students comprising of thirty students each from both, the University and the College of Education who were in the penultimate years of graduation made the sample for the study. Six research questions were raised to guide the study. Based on the findings of this study, some of the problems militating against agricultural education student teachers during teaching practice include pedagogical problems, cooperating school related issues, learners related problems, personal problems and institution based problems. Based on the findings, the study recommended frequent trainings and seminars for the stake-holders of teaching practice, budgeting of enough time for teaching practice exercise, provision of relevant instructional materials in schools and provision of stipends as incentive to agricultural science student teachers after the teaching practice exercise.Key words: Teaching practice, cooperating schools, student teachers, cooperating teachers, agricultural science student teachers