The purpose of this study is to find out the challenges faced by teachers in the process of implementing the Competency-based approach in secondary schools in the Southwest region of Cameroon. The sequential exploratory survey research design was adopted for the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the questionnaire and interview guide. The sample size of the study consisted of 332 teachers, 18 principals and 10 regional pedagogic inspectors. The internal consistency of the participants’ responses was satisfactory with a Cronbach alpha value 0.861. The quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS 21 while open ended questions were analysed thematically using themes-grounding-quotations. Findings revealed that teachers faced enormous challenges in the implementation of Competency Based Approach (CBA). The most frequently mentioned challenges were inadequate teaching time, lack of didactic materials, large class size, lack of CBA text books, inadequate CBA skills for teachers, unclear CBA assessment techniques and lack of understanding of the CBA concept. Based on these findings, it was recommended that educational authorities should improve the teacher training programmes in order to provide pre-service teachers with necessary skills for the implementation of competency based approach in schools. Regular trainings should be organized for in-service teachers to enable them acquire up-to-date teaching skills as required by the changes introduced in the school curricula. Teachers are encouraged to be active participants in their own continuous professional development. All educational stakeholders should be involved in decisions regarding the adoption or introduction of any new curricula. The budget allocation to schools should be increased so as to provide adequate infrastructure and material resources needed for the implementation of CBA.
Challenges, Teachers, Implementation, Competency Based Approach, Secondary Schools, Southwest Region, Cameroon
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