Pre-Service and In-Service Primary Teacher Training Programs : Effectiveness of Primary Teacher Training programmes in Jordan

The effectiveness of Primary Teacher Training programmes in Jordan was examined using the perceptions of participants in the programmes. Particular attention was paid to training carried out in schools. A mixture of interviews and questionnaire were used to gain information from 195 people (146 student teachers, 11 tutors, 14 headteachers, and 24 mentors) who were involved in the Initial Teacher Training programme and 134 teachers who were following the In-service Upgrading Certification programme. There was general agreement that the school-based part of the Initial Teacher Training programmes could be improved by increasing the period of observation, the guidance given and the variety of the lessons observed. It was felt that the school-based part of the course extended the knowledge and skills of the trainees but that attention needs to be paid to the development of classroom management skills and ensuring that trainees experienced all the subjects taught in the primary age range.