Quality Assurance in Teacher Education

Abstract

Quality assurance is the systematic monitoring and evaluation of various aspects of systems, projects or programs to maximize the possibility of achieving standards for specific performance indicators that can indicate directions for improvement (Latchem, 2012). Quality Assurance Toolkit for Open and Distance Non-formal Education. COL. https://oerknowledgecloud.org/sites/oerknowledgecloud.org/files/QA%20NFE_150.pdf) The concept of quality assurance has become an important aspect of teacher education because it has a vital role in the whole education system. However, ensuring the quality assurance of teacher education is a challenging task. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview of quality assurance in teacher education. The objectives of the study were, to examine the concepts of quality and quality assurance in teacher education, to identify the quality indicators in teacher education, and to explore the challenges for quality assurance in teacher education in Sri Lanka. The study adopted the literature review method and the semi-systematic approach was applied. The selected research articles from different publications were reviewed and the analyzed data through document analysis were presented in line with the objectives. Findings of the study revealed that insufficient physical and human resources, limited time period for the practical components, lack of an adequate number of quality teacher education programs, inadequate use of assessment results to provide feedback, negative attitudes and lack of awareness of academics toward the quality assurance, rigid and authoritarian institutional practices were the main challenges. Based on the findings, this research recommends that providing adequate physical and human resources, raising the awareness of all the stakeholders on the quality assurance process, and establishing more flexible and, dynamic institutional cultures are needed to facilitate the smooth functioning of the quality assurance process.