The Importance Of Student Teachers In Education

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As student teachers during our teaching practice, we are required to go to different schools. In some schools, we come across different challenges; one of these challenges is teaching in overcrowded classes. According to Motshekga (2012), the maximum recommended learner educator ratio should be 35:1. However many schools in South Africa have doubled the maximum recommended number of learners per classroom. Mustafa et al., (2008) state that classroom size limit seems to be an issue, which raises an argument in the education field. They further explain that due to overcrowded classrooms, student teachers end up putting more of their effort outside the classroom, grading more assessments such as exams, tests, and homework.
During our School Based Learning practical in Port Elizabeth township schools, we experienced difficulties in the teaching-learning process in overcrowded classrooms which include discipline, behavioural problems, poor health and poor performance of learners. These conditions put stress on student teachers and increase the dropout rate of learners (Khan & Iqbal, 2012). In addition, Marais (2016) reported that student teachers complete their school based learning practical in these schools with overcrowded classrooms as required by training institutions. As student teachers, we get easily frustrated when we experience problems that inhibit us from achieving educational outcomes.
In any classroom, there is diversity and learners have different needs.

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