Abstract
Performance appraisal is important for professional decision making in educational institutions. Government colleges (public sector colleges) in Pakistan follow criteria for promotion based on seniority in terms of the number of years a college teacher has served. This qualitative study was aimed at an evaluation of the criteria used for the promotion of the faculty in government colleges in Pakistan. Focus group discussions were used as the main data collection technique. Data were collected from faculty members and principals/heads of the institutions of government colleges. Findings from the study indicate that the current criteria are not adequate and more comprehensive criteria are in order. Such criteria shall not only take into account other sources of information, besides teaching experience in years, for faculty appraisal but shall also provide feedback on performance. This would go a long way in developing professionalism amongst the college faculty. The study is important as it provides guidelines for policy makers in Pakistan to devise more wide-ranging performance driven criteria for the promotion of college faculty. Such a step, the study suggests, would have a significant impact in terms of improving the quality of education in government colleges in Pakistan.
Keyword(s)
College teaching, Pakistan, Performance versus experience, professionalism