FACULTY CHALLENGES IN BS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AT GOVERNMENT GRADUATE COLLEGES

Abstract

Incorporating Bachelor of Studies (BS) programs in government graduate colleges has increased the access to education in Pakistan; however, the faculty members are still encountering many challenges related to the teaching-learning process. The current study aimed at identifying the challenges facing faculty members in BS programs in government graduate colleges in district Sheikhupura. Adopting Resource Dependency Theory, the present study used qualitative methodology under interpretivist approach. Data was collected from faculty members teaching in BS programs using semi-structured interviews. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis and found five major themes which include infrastructure and resource challenges, curriculum and assessment challenges, professional development and research challenges, workload and teaching challenges, and student academic preparation challenges. The faculty expressed concerns about poor laboratory facilities, poor library facilities, technological inadequacies, rigidity of curricula, inconsistency in assessment procedures, lack of professional development opportunities, absence of research facilities, heavy administrative duties, and difficulties due to poor academic credentials and attendance problems of the students. The findings of the present research show that the successful implementation of BS programs is hindered by the discrepancy between the program and the capacity of the colleges in relation to the program. Overcoming these difficulties would require improvements in educational facilities, curricular practices, faculty development opportunities, research facilities, workload, and student support.