Professional learning communities and trust in colleagues as determinants of collective teacher efficacy in Malaysian primary schools: an SEM analysis

Although identified as a critical contributing factor for students' academic outcomes, collective teacher efficacy has received limited attention from researchers in Malaysia. This study analysed the role of professional learning communities and teachers' trust in colleagues in strengthening collective efficacy beliefs among primary school teachers in Malaysia. A total of 307 teachers participated in this causal relationship study. Structural equation modelling analysis was done using SmartPLS4. Study results showed that professional learning communities directly affect collective teacher efficacy, and teachers' trust in colleagues exerts a partial mediating effect. Implications of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.