Factors Contributing towards Studying Education Related Courses in Institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implication on Teaching Profession

In the past, students admitted to study education related courses in the institutions are full of zeal and motivation to learn and practice as a full-fledged professional teacher. Unfortunately, there is a significant reverse in the scenario as pre-service teachers are not willing to practice in recent years. This paper examines the perception of pre-service teachers towards their career choice in studying education related courses in institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria. The factors in this study was grouped based on personal interest, referral, professional status and job-related factors. The correlational research of the survey type was used to gather information from the populationfrom the federal, state and private colleges of education in Kwara State. Some students totalling 220 were randomly selected from seven institutions to respond to the questionnaire items. The results indicated that participants have fractional attitude towards choosing teaching profession choice as many students were in the college due to referral. The paper therefore recommends the need to enhance and reward the practicing teachers with favourable condition of service to motivate younger ones coming into the profession.