Changing pre-service practices : a study of Jordanian science teachers

Abstract

Jordan is a Mediterranean country with limited resources and covering a small area of about 87,000 square kilometers. It has a population of around 4.3 million (Ministry of Information, 1994). However, despite limited resources, Jordan's main concern has been to offer an equal access to education for every individual. This desire to ensure access for all has, however, made the process of improving the educational system a very difficult challenge, especially so for the elementary school level. Currently, education in Jordan is at crossroads. Over the last ten years, studies have revealed that Jordanian schools have failed to produce graduates of a good quality. Jordanian students are the last in the International Achievement Test. In addition, the educational system in Jordan is claimed to be one of the worst in the world. The Ministry of Education (MOE) attributes this to the teachers' low level of performance, resulting from poor pre- and in-service preparation.