Exploring Perceptions of Preservice Teachers' Prepartion and Challenges in Lesotho

Abstract

This qualitative study was conducted to explore perceptions of preservice teachers and challenges in Lesotho. Six preservice teachers were purposively selected to participate in the study. A total of six teachers were purposively selected to participate in the study from six schools. Semi-structured interviews were used to probe for responses from these teachers individually about the quality of their initial training and the challenges that they face in real teaching situation. The findings of the study revealed a range of perceptions and challenges that result from outside themselves and from inside such as skills and abilities that allow them to accomplish tasks assigned. From the outside, these include: university structure to take courses from different faculties; short period of teaching practice, lack of support from mentors and school administrators, dragging and repeating courses as well as subject matter and pedagogical knowledge as skills and abilities they possess. When these challenges are not considered, preservice teachers will keep on leaving their chosen careers