Where to from IQMS : teachers' experience after evaluation.

Abstract

This study primarily looked at teachers¡¦ experiences of the IQMS evaluation and its impact on their professional development. IQMS has been actively introduced at the school system for the past five years. The purpose of this study is two fold. Firstly, this study wants to explore the outcomes of IQMS within the school context with a specific focus on outcomes relates to teachers. Secondly, this study wants to document the experience of schools¡¦ trip through the IQMS process from the perspectives of teachers and the school managers. A survey methodology was used to produce the data together with the analysis thereof. Some of the key findings from this study reveal that: Teachers with lower teaching qualifications and teaching experiences perceived IQMS to be beneficial to them, while teachers with higher qualifications and longer teaching experiences were suspicious of the IQMS process. Younger teachers tend to have more positive feelings towards IQMS while older teachers tend to have negative feelings towards IQMS. On the other hand middle aged teachers tend to have mixed feelings towards IQMS. The IQMS evaluation report had a positive impact on teachers in general, in terms of them identifying a need to develop themselves. Some of the key recommendations in relation to this study are: The Department of Education should ensure that sufficient workshops and trainings are properly planned and provision is made for in service training of teachers. Quality education can only be possible if the Department of Education ensures that all schools are well resourced.