Concealed Reality: A Reservoir for Teaching Profession in a Zambian Context

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Concealed Reality: A Reservoir for Teaching Profession in a Zambian Context

Dr. Annie Penda (PhD) and Dr. Oliver Magasu (PhD)
Kwame Nkrumah University P.O. Box 80404 Kabwe Zambia

Abstract: This manuscript is a study which focused on unveiling the concealed reality of why some individuals chose to be teachers or educators instead of choosing other forms of careers in a Zambian context. The study objectives were: to determine the rationale for choosing teaching profession to other jobs by trainee teachers and to establish what the trainee teachers wanted to fix for becoming teachers under teaching professional. The researchers used qualitative method and employed a semi-structured interview schedule to collect data from 30 trainee teachers at Kwame Nkrumah University in Zambia as participants. The key findings were that it was their wish from childhood, a calling, they love it, for wanting to teach modern technology and entrepreneur skills, as a way they want to contribute to society, want to overcome poverty, to offer meaningful education, because of being inspired by other teachers, it’s their responsibility, they want to continue learning, and to help the disabled. The study also brought to light the issues trainee teachers intended to address or fix upon becoming educators. Furthermore, the study established that the trainee teachers were either pulled or pushed towards their career choice. From the findings, this research recommends that the reservoir which need be taken on bold in the teaching professional in order to enrich teaching profession should be considered to help in meeting the current and future demands of the education system in Zambia.

Key words: challenges, trainee teachers, reservoir, teaching profession, concealed reality

I. INTRODUCTION

Teaching is a process of transmission of relevant knowledge and skills into learners so that they become meaningful citizens (Magasu, Muleya and Mweemba, 2021). According to Nilsen and Albertalli (2002), teaching in its broadest sense is the process whereby a teacher guides a learner or a group of learners to a higher level of knowledge or skills. Further, Ababio (2013) stated that, the major goal of teaching is for the teacher to ensure that students/pupils learn what has been taught. The definition for teaching highlighted the need to teach so that learners can learn and benefit from education. However, the intention of teachers before joining teaching profession was not revealed and this study is focusing on it and referred to as concealed reality. This concealed reality is the reasons of choosing teaching and the motive of doing something which is only known by the individual making the decision for lifetime career. The researchers believed that, it takes individual intention driven from being pushed or a pull from their deepest core of their being to decide on a life carrier for their life time. Hence the need to get concerned about why people choose to join

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