Preservice Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in the Teaching of Science at Basic Schools in Ghana

Abstract

Many researchers emphasize the need to look at teacher self-efficacy in preservice teacher preparation and training for the teaching profession. The purpose of this study was to explore science teachers' efficacy beliefs of preservice teachers who are enrolled in general programme and those enrolled in science programme at a college of education in Ghana. Data for the study were collected from a total number of 227 preservice teachers using Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (STEB-B). Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics specifically mean and standard deviation and t-test. The results indicated that preservice teachers had high science teaching efficacy however, those who are enrolled in science programme were efficacious than their counterpart in the general programme. Also there was a statistically significant difference in gender on the preservice teachers' science teaching efficacy beliefs.