Sandwich the study employed degree programme in a Nigerian University: perceptions of teachers on the opportunities and challenges
Sandwich degree programmes are in-service training programmes initiated by Nigerian Universities to upgrade the skills of primary and secondary school teachers, who either do not have a first degree or a professional teaching qualification. This study evaluates the Sandwich degree programme at Ekiti State University in Nigeria to determine the quality of the programme, its impact on the subject content knowledge as well as pedagogical knowledge of in-service teachers. A qualitative method was employed in the study, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews on eight high school teachers who have completed their honours degrees through the Sandwich degree programme. Findings suggest that the Sandwich programme positively enhanced the subject content and pedagogical knowledge, as well as the teaching skills of the in-service teachers thereby improving their confidence and self-esteem. However, the participants highlighted the flaws of the programme, which include 1) too much theory and less practical work during the training, 2) short duration for teaching practice, 3) sub-standard accommodation as well as inadequate lecture halls to mention a few. This study recommends more time allocation to practical demonstrations in various subjects and increased teaching practice hours.
Keywords: Education, Evaluation, In-service training, Teachers, Sandwich.
