AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CHALLENGES FACED BY EDUCATION HISTORY STUDENTS DURING TEACHING PRACTICE EXERCISE: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the challenges faced by history education student-teachers during teaching practice exercises at the University of Benin with the aims to determine if classroom management, lesson note planning, instructional materials poses as a challenge to history education students during teaching practice exercise and to find out the possible solution to the problems faced by history education students during teaching practice exercise.

Through a descriptive survey research design which involved 125 undergraduate students it was discovered that History education student-teachers encounter significant challenges during teaching practice exercise in the areas of classroom management, lesson planning, access to instructional materials, and the duration of teaching practice programme which therefore underscores the need and importance of implementing targeted strategies and interventions to enhance effective preparation and training of student-teachers during teaching practice exercise.

Based on the findings the study recommended: teaching practice duration should be    extend for student teacher skill development. Pre-teaching comprehensive trainings should be organized for student-teachers for better preparation. Access to instructional resources for student-teachers should be prioritized by host schools. Collaboration among student-teachers and host teachers should be encouraged. Professional development should be organized for student teachers for teaching skills enhancement before embarking on teaching practice exercises.