Bachelor of Education in educational management students’ perception of their programme of study: case of University of Botswana

Abstract

A survey study was conducted to establish perceptions of students who completed in 2008 and 2009 respectively in the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Education Management regarding the study provision and conditions, therefore the perceived value and quality of the study programme. Theories of learning which point to the influence of the ‘inner world’, the ‘work environment’ and the ‘other people’ on learning and therefore perceptions of programmes were used as the theoretical framework. B.Ed. Educational Management students filled in a questionnaire which had both open and close ended items. Perceptions were deduced from views on, among others, facilities to support the programme, usefulness of the programme for work, quality of the programme and support availed students. The findings showed an overwhelming positive perception of the programme. By implication, the programme would be expected to positively enhance learning thus, produce managers who would have a positive impact in the schools. Among the recommendations made were that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development of Botswana considers sponsoring more inservice management students to the local programme to reduce on costs, with cognisance being taken to avoid inbreeding where every manager would be coming from the local institution. Another recommendation is to conduct a study to establish the impact of these graduates on education where they are deployed as school managers.