Teaching Competence among Senior Secondary School Teachers: An Exploration

Abstract

In the contemporary educational landscape, teaching competence has emerged as a critical determinant of student success, particularly at the senior secondary level where learners prepare for higher education and professional life. This study, titled "Teaching Competence among Senior Secondary School Teachers: An Exploration", investigates the current status of teaching competence among 300 teachers from the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. The research employed a descriptive survey design and utilized a standardized Teaching Competence Scale to assess various dimensions such as lesson planning, instructional strategies, classroom management, student engagement, and evaluation practices. The sample included both male (126) and female (174) teachers across Arts (170) and Science (130) streams. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Z-score classification to categorize competence levels into seven bands—from extremely low to extremely high. The findings revealed that a majority of teachers fall into the average to above-average competence range. Notable differences were observed across gender and academic streams, with female and Arts stream teachers showing relatively stronger competence in certain areas. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted professional development programs and stream-specific teacher training initiatives. The insights gained offer valuable implications for educational policy, teacher education, and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing teaching quality and student outcomes.