Title: Motivation to join primary teaching profession: the case of Fiji

Abstract: The study reported here focuses on motivations for joining the teaching profession. In particular, motives of the entrants joining the primary teaching force were investigated. The trainees at Lautoka Teachers. College in Fiji responded to a questionnaire aimed at identifying their motives for choosing primary teaching as a career. Analysis of the results indicated that a large percentage of trainee teachers enrolled at the College were genuinely interested in becoming a teacher, and that a small percentage of them did not consider teaching as their career choice. The paper also discusses implications pertinent to student selection at the College.

Title: Practicum component : preparation of teachers for the real world of work

Abstract: In an attempt to investigate the impact of practice teaching, this study identified factors that contribute positively and negatively to the professional preparation of beginning teachers. Data by means of a questionnaire survey were collected from 106 beginning teachers who were asked to reflect on the field-based experiences completed whilst on teacher training at Lautoka Teachers’ College in Fiji. The analysis of the data shows that there are a number of factors having a negative impact on the professional preparation of teachers. The results of the study indicated the lacunae in the field-based experiences.