An Assessment of the Practicum as a Professional Development Among Private Higher Education Institutions in Tigray

Abstract

development at four private colleges in the Tigray Region. It aimed at assessing the organizational structures and implementation approaches of the practice based on the perception of selected trainees and college staff, and documents. The findings show that the respondents greatly value the opportunities the practicum offers to the student teachers for developing various personal and teaching concerns (professional skills). However, the organizational and practical aspects of the trade were heavily criticized on several grounds. Finally, effective partnership with other stakeholder, revision of evaluation procedures, regular supervision and the like were recommended tomake the practice a more constructive professional development exercise.