A Comparative Assessment of the Traditional and Distance Models of Teaching Delivery at the Eastern Polytechnic, Sierra Leone

Abstract

The title of the study is: ‘A Comparative Assessment of the Traditional and Distance Model of Teaching Delivery in the Eastern Polytechnic now Technical University of Sierra Leone.’ The objectives of the Study were to: examine the demographic characteristic of respondents; to compare the attitude of respondents towards teaching in their schools; to assess the perception of respondents to their training. A survey design with a cross sectional approach was employed and it entailed the collection of qualitative and quantitative data from various respondents. A total of 367 teachers responded to the questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion Guides (FGD). Interviews were held with Sierra Leone Teachers Union members (SLTU), Community Teachers Association (CTA) representatives, and the two Ministries of Education officials: the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE). The findings of the study indicated that the distance education trained teachers have improved the growth and development of teaching in the schools better than the other teaching model. The traditional teachers are less committed because more of them are permanently employed and have pin coded status. In conclusion, it is recommended that the distance model of teaching at the TC level must be maintained and that more support be provided by the Government and other agencies for this method of teaching delivery.