Evaluation of an in-service degree programme at a Nigerian University

Abstract

The Sandwich degree programme is an in-service training programme run by Nigerian Universities for primary and secondary school teachers who either do not have a first degree or those who do not have professional teaching qualifications. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the Sandwich degree programme at Fountain State University in Nigeria, and determine its impact on improving the subject content knowledge of teachers. This study was spurred by the poor performance of some learners in both external and internal examinations despite several efforts made by the government to improve the quality of education in Nigeria. The poor performance of learners has often been blamed on teachers who have no teaching qualifications and hence lacked pedagogical knowledge. The study therefore investigated the Sandwich degree programme at Fountain State University which was specifically designed to upgrade the qualifications of teachers. The study investigated the Sandwich degree programme to determine whether it adequately enhanced teachers’ content and pedagogical knowledge. The evaluation of the Sandwich degree programme was carried out using Kirkpatrick's Four-Level Training Evaluation Model. The study employed a qualitative research paradigm. The research sample comprised of three university lecturers (Sandwich degree lecturers), the director of the Sandwich degree programme and eight high school teachers purposively sampled who are graduates of the Sandwich degree programme. Data collection was achieved by means of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis.