Research Paper
Year: 2019 | Month: July | Volume: 6 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 64-76
The Pre-Service Training of Education Administrative Officers: Experiences of Education Administrators in Sri Lanka
Dr. Chandana Kasturiarachchi
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
ABSTRACT
The main aim of this study was to investigate experiences of the administrators, trainers and the trainees on the pre-service training program offered to the novice Educational Administrative Officers in Sri Lanka. This training program is conducted by the National Institute of Education under the supervision of the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka. This study employed qualitative inquiry and case study approach. Participants were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Data was gathered in administering semi-structured interviews and document surveys. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the trainees were quite unsatisfied with the pre-service training program since their expected requirements have not been adequately fulfilled through the pre-service training program. Poor course design, outdated course content based on deep theoretical aspects, ineffective course delivery methods, lack of practical activities, poor quality of the trainers, unsatisfactory course coordination were the main issues of the pre-service training program. However, the majority of participants were contented about the effort has been made by many parties to organize such pre-service training. The study concludes that a requirement of a policy based on theory and practice for selecting and training the novice officers in Sri Lanka. The selection of trainers needs to be systematic, and qualified, experienced, energetic, motivated intellectuals must be the trainers of the newly recruited officers. The content, delivery strategies, technology must be suited for enhancing the 21stcentury skills of the officers.
Key words: Pre-Service Training, Education Administrators, Training, and Development, Principals
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