Contemporary Issues Affecting Excellent Service Delivery in Teacher Training Institutions

Abstract

In recognising the roles of teachers as important agents of societal transformation and nation-building, the Federal Government of Nigeria established colleges of education to produce highly conscientious, competent and certified teachers for primary and junior secondary schools. These teachers are expected to satisfy the needs and expectations of parents, students and other stakeholders through quality service delivery. Excellent service delivery is the highest level of care that can be provided to parents, students and other customers within the scope of educational organisation. This paper, therefore, examined the concept of teacher education, excellent service delivery and contemporary issues affecting excellent service delivery in teacher training institutions. It was concluded that if the issues of inadequate funding, lecturers’ cadre, academic staff – students relations, admission policy, management, facilities and staff commitment are not properly addressed, teacher training institutions would not be able to render excellent services to the society in the form of production of highly conscientious, competent and certified builders of the nation. It was therefore recommended that colleges of education as should be properly funded by all education stakeholders to attract and maintain highly qualified staff and equally provide better facilities to facilitate effective teaching and learning. The cadre of lecturers in the colleges of education should be changed to the cadre of lecturers in the universities.