Teachers’ Perceptions of Long Term Instructional Plans

Abstract

This study is part of a larger research project designed to assess instructional planning activities through the perceptions of teachers at the primary school level. A sample representing all geographical regions and various school locations in 14 provinces in seven geographical regions were selected. Through a questionnaire designed by the researchers, data were collected from 1194 teachers. Closed and open-ended data from the questionnaires provided light into the process of yearly and unit planning activities and the problems experienced in the planning process. Results of the study show that teachers experience various problems in preparing these plans. In general, teachers view yearly plans as more critical in effective instruction than the unit plans. Teachers see a big gap between what they plan and what they implement in the classroom due to priorities in the inspectional process.