Perceptions on the Practice and Relevance of the Practicum: the Case of Dessie College of Teachers Education

Practicum which is a new paradigm shift for our country replaces the old teaching practice that was given at the end of the training program for a short period of time after student teachers mastered the theories. The Ministry of Education developed the In-In-Out practicum model for the Teacher Training Institutions of the country. Instead, the Amhara Regional Education Bureau utilized the In-Out-In model for its Teacher Training Colleges. This model implies that in their first year training, student teachers are in the college, in their second year training they are in the primary schools for the actual school experience and teaching practice. Lastly, in their third year training the student teachers will be back to the college. However, implementing this program in the primary schools was really challenging for different reasons. Therefore, this study tried to bridge the gaps occurred between the theoretical aspects of practicum, its successes, challenges and the practical applications of the program in the actual schools by showing different alternatives.