Lack of qualified physics teachers in West Bohemia: it is getting worse

Authors

  • Marie Mollerová Pedagogical faculty, University of West Bohemia, Plzeň
  • Jiří Kohout Pedagogical faculty, University of West Bohemia, Plzeň
  • Lukáš Feřt Pedagogical faculty, University of West Bohemia, Plzeň
  • Pavel Masopust Pedagogical faculty, University of West Bohemia, Plzeň

Abstract

Although lack of fully-qualified physics teachers reported by many sources is very important for education experts, school principals and faculties of teacher education, in the Czech Republic no systematical study quantifying this issue has been yet conducted. We aimed to explore the level of qualification of physics teachers and its impact on quality of teaching in secondary schools in West Bohemia. Our results based on interviews with 179 school principals, questionnaires fulfilled by 107 students and a detailed analysis of school education programs confirmed the significant lack of qualified physics teachers especially in rural areas and revealed also that popularity of physics among students is correlated with qualification of physics teachers. The age structure of the staff and low number of newly trained teachers suggest that the situation will worsen in next years.

Published

2018-01-02

How to Cite

Mollerová, M., Kohout, J., Feřt, L., & Masopust, P. (2018). Lack of qualified physics teachers in West Bohemia: it is getting worse. MATHEMATICS–PHYSICS–INFORMATICS, 27(1), 46–54. Retrieved from https://mfi.upol.cz/index.php/mfi/article/view/383

Issue

Section

Physics

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