Effect of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program Implementation on Students ‘Academic Performance in Mathematics in Public Secondary Schools in Rwanda a Case of Ngoma District


Authors : TWAGIRAYEZU Felix; Dr. Andala, Hesbon Opiyo

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 11 - November


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3rnv9rt9

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4t3c4rzb

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14286934


Abstract : This study examined the effect of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs on the academic performance of students in mathematics at public secondary schools in Ngoma District, Rwanda. The research aimed to evaluate the CPD activities, assess students' performance in mathematics, and explore the connection between CPD programs and student outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was used, surveying 140 participants, including teachers, school leaders, and students, from both day and boarding schools. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Findings revealed that CPD activities significantly improved students' performance in mathematics. 89.58% of school leaders, 83.75% of teachers, and 80.33% of students agreed that CPD positively impacted student learning. Before CPD implementation, student performance was low, but it improved once the program was introduced. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.887, p = 0.01) was found between CPD participation and student academic performance in mathematics. The study also identified challenges such as low teacher motivation, absenteeism, and poor assessment scores due to inadequate CPD. To address these issues, the research recommended incorporating technology in teaching, adopting personalized learning methods, and enhancing teacher training. The findings highlighted the important role of CPD in enhancing teaching quality and student performance.

Keywords : Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program, Academic Performance in Mathematics Subject, Public Secondary Schools, Rwanda.

References :

  1. Abakah, E. (2023). Teacher learning from continuing professional development (CPD) participation: A sociocultural perspective. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 4(November 2022), 100242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2023.100242.
  2. Abakah, E., Widin, J., & Ameyaw, E. K. (2022). Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Practices Among Basic School Teachers in the Central Region of Ghana. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221094597
  3. Abou-Assali, M. (2014). The Link between Teacher Professional Development and Student Achievement: A Critical View. International Journal of Bilingual & Multilingual Teachers of English, 02(01), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.12785/ijbmte/020104
  4. BACP. (2016). A guide to continuing professional development - activities for teachers. 5. www.bacpregister.org.uk
  5. Bahriadi, B., Suriansyah, A., & Sulaiman, S. (2022). Continuous Professional Development Model to Improve Teacher Professional Competence. International Journal of Social Science And Human Research, 05(12), 6010–6017. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v5-i12-89
  6. Borg, S. (2015). Teaching for Success Contemporary perspectives on continuing professional development. British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 6(4), 241–254. http://www.sciencedomain.org/abstract.php?iid=821&id=21&aid=7808
  7. Borg, S. (2018). Evaluating the Impact of Professional Development. RELC Journal, 49(2), 195–216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688218784371
  8. Botham, K. A. (2018). The perceived impact on academics’ teaching practice of engaging with a higher education institution’s CPD scheme. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 55(2), 164–175.
  9. Byungura, J. C., Nyiringango, G., Fors, U., Forsberg, E., & Tumusiime, D. K. (2022). Online learning for continuous professional development of healthcare workers: an exploratory study on perceptions of healthcare managers in Rwanda. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 851. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03938-y
  10. Calleja, J. (2018). Teacher participation in continuing professional development: motivating factors and programme effectiveness. Malta Review of Educational Research, 12(1), 5–29. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32542
  11. Claudius Komba, S., & Japhet Mwakabenga, R. (2020). Teacher Professional Development in Tanzania: Challenges and Opportunities. Educational Leadership, December. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90564
  12. Continuous professional development of secondary school teachers in Rwanda : Evidence from a census of Rwandan secondary schools Leaders in Teaching Research. (2021). May.
  13. Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2016). Effective Teacher Professional Development. Learning Policy Institute. https://www.yu.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Effective_Teacher_Professional_Development_REPORT.pdf

This study examined the effect of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs on the academic performance of students in mathematics at public secondary schools in Ngoma District, Rwanda. The research aimed to evaluate the CPD activities, assess students' performance in mathematics, and explore the connection between CPD programs and student outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was used, surveying 140 participants, including teachers, school leaders, and students, from both day and boarding schools. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Findings revealed that CPD activities significantly improved students' performance in mathematics. 89.58% of school leaders, 83.75% of teachers, and 80.33% of students agreed that CPD positively impacted student learning. Before CPD implementation, student performance was low, but it improved once the program was introduced. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.887, p = 0.01) was found between CPD participation and student academic performance in mathematics. The study also identified challenges such as low teacher motivation, absenteeism, and poor assessment scores due to inadequate CPD. To address these issues, the research recommended incorporating technology in teaching, adopting personalized learning methods, and enhancing teacher training. The findings highlighted the important role of CPD in enhancing teaching quality and student performance.

Keywords : Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program, Academic Performance in Mathematics Subject, Public Secondary Schools, Rwanda.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe