Beliefs of Student-Teachers at the University of Jammu Towards the Teaching Profession

This study examines the beliefs of 150 student-teachers from 15 Colleges of Education in Jammu Province, affiliated with the University of Jammu, regarding the teaching profession. Participants were selected through simple random sampling, with 10 student-teachers from each college representing both genders. Data collection was facilitated by a self-constructed questionnaire featuring 22 mixed-format questions. Analytical methods included percentage evaluations, graphical representations, and content analysis. Findings indicate a predominant belief among student-teachers that teaching is a respected career associated with high morale and societal value. Interestingly, 62.67% of respondents believe that teaching skills are acquired (‘Made’), while 37.33% feel these skills are innate (‘Born’). The majority expressed satisfaction with their career choice, with only 14.67% indicating dissatisfaction. Key attributes identified for effective teaching include the ability to understand varying student levels, skills to engage students, and the fostering of mental and emotional development. The study also highlights a preference for employment in government schools driven by job security, favourable salaries, and a commitment to educating socially disadvantaged groups. While the results are not universally generalisable due to the sample size, they provide valuable insights into student-teacher perceptions of their profession and educational practice programs.