Vol. 19 (2012)
Articles

Is Anybody Listening? Stakeholders' Perspectives on the In-Service Diploma in Education Programme at the School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus

Shahiba Ali
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio
Desiree S. Augustin
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio
Susan Herbert
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio
Freddy James
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio
Sharon Phillip
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio
Joycelyn Rampersad
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio
Jennifer Yamin-Ali
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Bio

Keywords

  • Diploma in Education Programme,
  • School of Education,
  • UWI,
  • St. Augustine,
  • Programme Evaluation,
  • Stakeholder Attitudes,
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • ...More
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How to Cite

Ali, S., Augustin, D. S., Herbert, S., James, F., Phillip, S., Rampersad, J., & Yamin-Ali, J. (2015). Is Anybody Listening? Stakeholders’ Perspectives on the In-Service Diploma in Education Programme at the School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. Caribbean Curriculum, 19, 173–196. Retrieved from https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/cc/article/view/570

Abstract

The Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed.) programme at the School of Education of The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, provides initial training for teachers employed in the secondary school system in Trinidad and Tobago. In keeping with the tenets and stages of fourth generation evaluation research, stakeholders' perspectives were integral to the process of evaluating the Dip. Ed. programme, which was delivered during the period 2004-2009. Through purposive and stratified random sampling focus group and individual interviews were conducted with three separate groups of stakeholders: principals, heads of departments, and deans from a sample of schools; and Central Administration officers of the Ministry of Education. Teachers who had graduated from the programme during the period were asked to complete a questionnaire. Data were analysed, using the NVIVO qualitative data analysis software, to determine stakeholders' issues, claims, and concerns. This article reports on these selected stakeholders' perspectives on the programme. Preliminary findings reveal the extent to which the current in-service Dip.Ed. programme meets stakeholders' expectations, and the benefits and limitations of the programme. The implications of the findings for teacher education and reform are discussed.