Teacher certification policy in Indonesia: Evidence from certified English teachers at one public high school

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine students’ perception towards their certified English teachers in Jambi, Indonesia. The data of this study were collected through questionnaire and focus group discussion. The data collected were senior high students’ perception on the certified English teachers’ personal, pedagogical, social, and professional competences. 95 participants consisting of 78 female and 17 male students were involved in this study. The questionnaire data were analyzed statistically and the focus group discussion data were analyzed qualitatively to support the primary data. The findings of the study indicated that students gave their positive responses through questionnaire to four teachers’ competences consisting of personal, pedagogical, social, and professional competences  while the results of focus group discussion exhibited negative responses to personality of the teachers, and professional competences. This study provides information for policymaker to evaluate the certification policy in Indonesia. Policy recommendations and implications of findings and future research are also discussed.