Explanatory Factors for Benefits and Reasons for Undertaking Professional Development Activities by Senior Secondary School Agriculture Teachers in Swaziland

摘要

A descriptive correlational research was designed d to identify factors explaining benefits and reasons for s undertaking professional development activities by senior secondary school agriculture teachers. Desk 1 review and a modified Delphi technique were used to generate items used in a survey questionnaire for re data collection. From the target population (N=134), a it representative sample of agriculture teachers (n=103) u was drawn for the study. Findings revealed that senior (> secondary school agriculture teachers benefitted K from undertaking professional development activities. u Variables that explained benefits and reasons for P undertaking professional development activities were n personal reasons, curriculum related changes, societal si related changes and school location. The conclusions d drawn from the findings of the study were that, for T senior secondary school agriculture teachers, the most important motivating factor for undertaking professional development activities was competence related reasons and they benefitted intrinsically from undertaking professional development activities. Teachers who undertake professional development activities should be given accelerated promotion and access to qualification upgrading opportunities.