An examination of the influence of resource availability on preparation of competent teachers under competency based teacher education program a survey of teachers’ training institutions in Vihiga County

Abstract

This study was carried out in Vihiga County- Kenya. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of resource availability and utilization on the preparation of competent teachers in training institutions in the county. The teacher is a necessary tool in the growth of any society as it is the teacher who imparts knowledge through education. As such the teacher needs to be well prepared for his/her future role in the society. The objectives of the study thus were to examine the effects of resource availability and utilization on production of competent teachers under the CBTE program in TTCs and to find out the resources available for effective implementation of CBTE. The study used exploratory sequential designs where descriptive survey was used to explore qualitative data and correlational ex post facto was used to explain the relationship between resource availability and utilization and production of competent teachers. A sample size of 3 principals, 14 tutors and 230 trainee teachers from 3 colleges was used. Purposive sampling was used to sample colleges and simple random sampling was used to sample tutor and trainee respondents. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation schedules/checklists while secondary data was obtained from trainees’ performance records and other professional records. The study was guided by the Resource Based Theory of Competitive Advantage which stated that a firm utilizes its resources and capabilities to create its competitive advantage, that is, a differentiated product that is of superior value. Analysis of data was done using the simple regression where the availability and utilization of resources and their effect on production of competent of teachers was ascertained. The study concluded that the competency of teachers was not that dependent on resources availability given that the colleges under study did not have enough resources but nevertheless produced a good number of teachers who could handle learners competently. The study thus recommended the equipping of colleges with more ICT facilities which could help trainees even in the absence of tutors and other physical facilities. This was based on the discovery that trainees made do with computer labs and the web in the absence of tutors.