STUDENT TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL INTERNSHIP

Abstract

The school internship program is to engage students in service activities primarily for
providing them with hands-on experience that enhances their learning of issues relevant to
teaching. The present study is a descriptive survey that aimed to assess the perceptions of 77 student
teachers of four years B.A/ B.Ed. integrated program for the school internship program. Data was
collected by using a ve-point Likert scale and focused group discussions. Student teachers viewed
the school internship program as a real opportunity to rene and improve their teaching skills and
mentor teachers played an important role in enhancing their teaching skills. Student teachers were
found to be highly satised with the dimmensions of professional and institutional socialization;
socio-emotional aspects; and professional identity and vocational competencies. For learning and
professional development, interns viewed that more opportunities be provided to them for the usage
of a variety of teaching-learning materials and teaching methods. Student teachers were not
satised with the support and supervision provided during the internship as no demonstrations
lessons were delivered and there was a lack of coordination between mentor teacher and university
supervisor. In the focussed group discussions, student teachers highlighted the need for
availability of good teaching resources in schools and their involvement in all activities of the
school. The challenges perceived by mentor teachers were non-availability of written guidelines.