University degrees and the workplace: A tracer survey of a cohort of twenty-six bachelor of primary education graduates of the University of Botswana
Date
2006-11-13T12:25:01Z
Authors
Motswakhumo, Basha
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Abstract
This study primarily aimed to find out how university degrees influence career paths
and workplace practices of the graduates. A tracer survey was carried out using the
1997 Bachelor (primary) of education graduates of the University of Botswana. Data
was collected qualitatively using unstructured interviews and analysis of documents.
A bachelor (primary) of education degree programme was introduced at university
level to enhance professional practice in the workplace. However the degree seemed
not to have achieved this. Instead it seemed to have led the pull out of teachers from
their initial work setting in the primary department to other departments. This is due
to the fact that degrees do different things that do not fall into university programme
design. This is also due largely to the fact that when degrees are designed they do not
take into account the complexity of the challenges and experiences that teachers are
faced with in the workplace. In fact, some of the challenges and experiences have
nothing to do with the qualifications conferred by the degree like salaries, personal
interrelations, lack of promotion prospects and professional roles devalued. All these
things push teachers to leave. Though some of the teachers may be competent enough
in their jobs, they still need degrees to authenticate their profession. The study
concludes that the BEd (primary) degree programme is not necessarily job related.
Therefore the study strongly recommends that the BEd (primary) programme be
reviewed thoroughly to ensure that it leads to professional development of teachers in
primary schools.
Description
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
School of Education
0311556x
bashamots@yahoo.com
Keywords
Higher Education, Qualifications, Degree, Labour market, Teacher upgrade