Assessment of Student Teachers’ Experiences during Teaching Practice in Benue State: Implications on their Perception of the Teaching Profession

Teacher Education involves the policies and procedures designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills they require to teach effectively. Teaching practice (TP) is an integral part in teacher education because it allows student-teachers to apply the theories into practice. Effective preparation of student teachers in practical subjects could help them teach efficiently. The study was guided by three research questions; survey design was adopted for the study with a sample of (170) student teachers. An Instrument tagged Student Teachers Experiences in Teaching Practice Questionnaire (STETPQ) was used to collect data on how student teacher perceived teaching profession during teaching practice and the challenges thereon. The data collected were analyzed using weighted mean, Frequency and percentages respectively. The result indicated that on the overall, student teachers held strong perception of teaching profession in Benue State. Respondents agreed that teaching practice have made them to decide to take to teaching as a profession. Student teachers also faced different challenge ranging from personal preparation, class participation, class room management, instructional and evaluation problems. It was recommended amongst others that a proper orientation for student teachers should be carried out using efficient means of communication like; seminars, workshops, conferences and discussion before they go for teaching practice. This will prepare their mind for the challenges ahead.