From Theory to Classroom: Exploring School Internship Practices in the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP)

Abstract

The internship is the heart of the Teacher Education Programme. Teacher preparation is a reflective and experiential process, and internship is essential for establishing connections among student-teachers, the school, other educators, students, and other stakeholders in a variety of ways. An internship is a formal program designed to give student-teachers practical experience in a teaching profession. During the internship programme, student-teachers gain hands-on experience to improve their teaching skills in a real-classroom environment. Student-teachers have a great opportunity to improve their teaching skills and obtain real-world experience through internships, which can help them become more effective educators in the future. The present article explores the concept, need and significance of school internship, along with the school internship practices under the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). It also highlights the various problems student-teachers encounter during this crucial phase of their internship. Additionally, the article suggests effective strategies to overcome these problems and enhance the overall quality of internship experiences. The school internship programme plays a vital role in bridging the gap between theory and practice by providing student-teachers with real classroom experience. It enables them to understand the roles, responsibilities, and professional ethics of educators while developing essential teaching competencies, classroom management skills, and reflective practices necessary for their future teaching profession.