Field education provides inter alia observation of, reflection on, and modelling of professional practice. Learners ‘rehearse the skills and practice and later try out them with their own clients’ (Dorr, 2014, p. 52). In the process, the learner begins to appreciate the transition from classroom to the field of practice, which brings about growth and development (Dorr, 2014). It provides a challenge to both the learner and supervisor to bring classroom knowledge to bear on the practice of social work in the field to fortify the link between theory and practice. It is argued in the discussion that field education provides the completeness in the growth and development of a learner. The discussion provides a brief historical backdrop to social work education in Africa against the background of colonialism, independence, and beyond. The idea is to raise issues of significance in the field of social work education in Africa. 

Lisa Bischoff

Papers

Social Work Field Education in Africa