The Importance Of Teacher Induction

Education commentators and reformers have perennially called attention to the challenges encountered by newcomers to teaching. Teaching in secondary schools involves intensive interaction with youngsters; the work of teachers is largely done in isolation from colleagues. Such isolation can especially be difficult for newcomers, who, upon accepting a position in teaching, are frequently left to succeeded or fail on their own within the confines of their classrooms. Other commentators go further, arguing that beginners tend to end up in the most challenging and difficult classroom and school assignments. Some have gone further to assail teaching as an occupation that cannibalizes its young. These are the very kinds of issues that effective employee entry, orientation and support programmes seek to address. Teaching has, however, traditionally not had the kind of induction programmes for new entrants common to many skilled occupations.

This is mainly so because teaching is considered a complex work. Pre-employment teacher preparation is rarely sufficient to provide all the knowledge and skill necessary for successful teaching. A significant portion of teaching knowledge can be acquired only on the job. This view holds that schools must provide an environment where novices can learn how to teach, survive and succeed as teachers. Induction programmes aim at improving the performance and retention of beginning teachers to enhance their skills. Apart from preventing the loss of new teachers it should improve student growth and learning. The next benefit of induction goes beyond mere teaching in