Introduction
Student-Teaching Practice and Internship Programme are the heart of teacher education, bridging the gap between theory and classroom realities. They allow prospective teachers to apply pedagogical knowledge, develop teaching skills, and gain professional experience.
However, despite their importance, student-teachers often face multiple problems and challenges during these programmes. If not addressed properly, these issues can hinder their growth and confidence as future educators.
This article discusses the key problems related to student-teaching practice and internship programmes and provides effective solutions to improve the overall process.
Problems Related to Student-Teaching Practice and Internship Programme
1. Lack of Proper Supervision
Many student-teachers complain about inadequate guidance from supervisors or mentor teachers. Without proper observation and feedback, trainees struggle to improve their teaching skills.
2. Inadequate Orientation
Before beginning practice teaching, student-teachers often do not receive a proper orientation about school environment, teaching methods, or classroom management.
3. Limited Resources and Teaching Aids
Student-teachers sometimes lack access to teaching aids, digital tools, and adequate classroom facilities. This limits creativity and effective teaching practices.
4. Time Constraints
The duration of practice teaching is often too short, leaving little scope for repeated practice and mastery of skills.
5. Heavy Workload
In some cases, student-teachers are burdened with clerical tasks, record-keeping, or non-teaching activities, reducing their focus on actual teaching.
6. Classroom Management Challenges
Managing student behavior, maintaining discipline, and handling diverse learners becomes difficult for inexperienced teachers.
7. Evaluation and Feedback Issues
The assessment process is sometimes biased, irregular, or lacks constructive feedback, which affects the growth of student-teachers.
8. Lack of Cooperation from Schools
Some schools do not provide adequate support or cooperation to student-teachers, treating them as outsiders rather than part of the teaching team.
9. Psychological Barriers
Many trainees face fear, anxiety, and lack of confidence while teaching real students for the first time.
10. Mismatch Between Theory and Practice
What is taught in teacher training institutes often does not match with the real classroom situations, leaving student-teachers confused.
Solutions to Problems in Student-Teaching Practice and Internship Programme
1. Effective Supervision and Mentoring
Supervisors should provide regular observations and constructive feedback.
Mentor teachers in schools must guide student-teachers patiently, treating them as colleagues in training.
2. Pre-Internship Orientation
Teacher education institutions should organize orientation sessions before practice teaching.
Trainees must be familiarized with school culture, curriculum, and classroom management techniques.
3. Provision of Adequate Resources
Institutions should provide teaching aids, ICT tools, and libraries.
Schools must encourage student-teachers to use digital learning platforms and classroom resources.
4. Extension of Internship Duration
The internship period should be extended to allow repeated practice, re-planning, and re-teaching, similar to micro-teaching cycles.
5. Balanced Workload
Student-teachers should not be overburdened with clerical tasks.
Focus must remain on lesson planning, teaching, and reflection
6. Training in Classroom Management
Special workshops on discipline, motivation, and handling diverse learners should be conducted.
Role-play and simulated teaching can prepare student-teachers for real-life challenges.
7. Fair and Comprehensive Evaluation
Feedback should be objective, continuous, and constructive.
Evaluation must include lesson delivery, classroom interaction, teaching aids, and reflective journals.
8. Strengthening School–Institution Collaboration
Schools and teacher training institutes must develop a partnership model where both benefit from the internship.
School teachers should actively cooperate with trainees.
9. Psychological Support and Confidence Building
Student-teachers should be encouraged through positive reinforcement and counseling.
Mock teaching sessions, micro-teaching, and peer teaching can reduce fear.
10. Integration of Theory and Practice
Curriculum planners should ensure that pedagogical theories are linked with practical classroom strategies.
Workshops and seminars must connect academic content with field experiences.
Conclusion
Student-Teaching Practice and Internship Programme play a crucial role in shaping competent teachers. However, the presence of challenges like lack of supervision, limited resources, classroom management difficulties, and evaluation gaps often reduces their effectiveness.
By implementing practical solutions such as better supervision, orientation programmes, adequate resources, fair evaluation, and strong school–institution collaboration, these problems can be minimized.
Ultimately, student-teachers should view teaching practice as an opportunity for learning and growth, not as a burden. With proper guidance and support, internship programmes can transform them into confident, skilled, and reflective educators.
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