Managing Teacher Preparation for Curriculum Execution and School Improvement in Rivers State

Abstract

The teacher remains a critical part of the epicenter of the educational system. The importance attached to the role of the teacher in curriculum execution and value orientation makes teacher preparation or his future duties and responsibilities no less critical. In this paper therefore, teacher preparation is conceived and defined as an academic process (theory and practical) geared towards exposing and inculcating in the would-be teacher the required knowledge, skills, capacities, values and standards for a successful teaching career and increasing school and students improvement. Thus, this paper explores the place of’ managing the preparation of a would-be teacher with the aim of achieving the production of teachers with cutting edge qualities capable of leveraging learning environment and experiences that make learners responsive to the demands of globalization at a given level. To this end, the paper focused on planning issue, social perception of the teaching profession, issues of infrastructure, financial issues, policy issues, quality issues, entry processes, issues of motivation, profession issues, entry criteria. On the other hand, requirements for entering into the teaching profession, continuous professional learning, development and improvement, conditions for effective job execution and increased productivity, leveraging and standards are considered as continuing teacher preparation. The reason being that teaching is a “living thing” and dynamic phenomenon.

Keywords: Managing, teacher preparation, curriculum execution and school improvement.