COLLABORATION PROBLEMS DURING PRACTICUM IN PRESERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

The study investigated the problems and issues confronted by teacher education institutions (TEIs) in collaborating with cooperating schools (CSs) during practicum. The study utilized concurrent mixed methodology in which 126 teacher educators cum supervisors (TEs) participated from 14 Government of Colleges for Elementary Teachers (GCETs) of Punjab province. Questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used for data collection. The surveys were distributed to 126 participants, while interviews were conducted with 28 TEs. The study revealed that the practicum participants [i.e. supervisor, mentor, student teacher (ST), cooperating school (CS) head] were unclear about their own and others' roles. CSs distrust STs' teaching and undervalue practicum. Female STs' abundance is problem for male supervisors during supervision. Government involvement is strongly recommended for policy and regulation development and as a liaison for collaboration between TEIs and CSs. written communication is recommended for the better communication between the participants of practicum.