FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHANGING OF SUBJECT SPECIALISATION BY STUDENTS AT TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN ESWATINI

Abstract

In the academic year 2009/10 and 2010/11 at one teacher training institution in Eswatini, 55.1% of the student teachers changed the subject specialisation. Unfortunately, there is no study investigated factors influencing the change of subject specialisation by Primary Teacher Diploma (PTD) student teachers in Eswatini (Swaziland). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to identify factors influencing the change of subject specialisation by PTD students at teacher training institutions in Eswatini. The study was a descriptive survey research triangulating a desk review, modified Delphi technique and a survey questionnaire in data collection. The study was also a census of the 2012/2013 third year PTD students (N= 351) from three teacher training institutions. The instrument was validated by teacher educators involved in the programme who were part of the Delphi process. The instrument was found to be 83% reliable. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, correlation and binary logistic regression. The main findings of the study revealed that outside college experience and professionals were the main factors behind the changing of specialisation by student teachers at teacher training institutions in Eswatini. The study recommended that lecturers should be careful as they interact with the students since have an influence in the changing of the specialisation.