INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PRACTICE IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Abstract “No educational system can rise above the quality of its teachers” (NPE, 2013) this notion of the National Policy on Education signifies the need for highly qualified and competent teachers that will effectively manage our schools and cascade quality education to the younger generation in our society. Colleges of education as teacher training institutions where minimum teaching qualification (NCE) is acquired are expected to practice internal quality assurance in their respective institutions with the view of providing enabling environment for teaching and learning through regular monitoring and internal assessment by authorised reputable individuals. This paper discusses the concepts of quality assurance, the nexus between internal and external quality assurance; the prospects of internal quality assurance in Colleges of education were highlighted which include; ensuring quality of teaching and learning, ensuring the quality of assessment judgments by checkmating the quality of continuous assessments and examinations questions as well as conducting self-assessment to identify the challenges and existing gaps in the Colleges. The challenges in practicing internal quality assurance in Colleges of education were also highlighted. The paper concludes that internal quality assurance is a new mechanism in Colleges of education that enable the institutions to identify their shortcomings and make up by conducting so many activities. Recommendations on how to address the challenges facing the Colleges and quality assurance Directorates in ensuring quality delivery for the benefit of all were also proffered.

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