Teaching and Teacher Preparation, the Past, Present and Future Prospects in Nigeria

Teaching profession is one of the oldest professions in Nigeria. Historically, the existence of teaching could be traced back to the colonial era, through the pre-independence, post• independence period and the present time. These periods had witnessed many challenges and efforts have been made by the Government and all educational stakeholders to improve the teaching profession and the aspect of teacher education. The presenters examined the concepts of teaching and teacher preparation. One hundred andfifty (15 0) respondents comprising of three (3) categories of student teachers.fifty (50)from each group viz: Post• Graduate Diploma in Education (PDE), final year students of Degree and final year students of NCE level of Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta were involved. The questionnaire focused on some vital issues affecting the teaching profession and teacher preparation. Using percentages to analyse the data, the study revealed that the Government and other educational stakeholders have to put more efforts in place to improve teaching as a profession. There is a need to expose our student teachers to the usage of modern/technological teaching gadgets and methodologies. Overcrowded lecture halls should be guided against for effective teaching-learning to take place in our higher institutions.