A first ever forum with an emphasis on improving teacher education and development standards in Fiji was top of the agenda at discussions among education stakeholders and participants.
While opening the ‘National Seminar on Quality Teacher Development and Quality Learning’ the Ministry of Education acting permanent secretary Basundra Kumar said the while the focus was directed to quality learning, this seminar would include the issue of having quality teachers in this process.
“Teachers are at the heart of every education system. The plans and strategies for the initial preparation and ongoing professional development of teachers are central elements of the process and targets relating to quality, access and equity in education,” Mrs Kumar said.
“It is through the quality of teaching that schools can make a difference to the life chances of their students. Therefore, teacher effectiveness is the key to improved educational outcomes
“The seminar is a good platform to discuss issues and map out strategies collectively to strengthen teacher policies and teacher training to ensure teacher effectiveness.
“This seminar is intended to define the attributes of a Pacific teacher for the 21st Century and to develop a framework for teacher development as important standards for all teacher training institutions which are consistent with the Ministry of Education expectations.”
The permanent secretary urged relevant stakeholders to work together and in close partnership with the Ministry of Education to achieve quality education.
The seminar aims to develop a framework for basic standards for teacher development . This is in line with key strategy proposed for the post-2014 education agenda to be adopted at the World Education Forum in 2015.
The two-day meet at the Holiday Inn includes participation of representatives from the three different universities, teacher unions, Council of Pacific Education (COPE), regional partners, Access to Quality Education (AQEP), Fiji Head Teachers Association, Fiji Principals Association and senior management of the Ministry of Education.
-ENDS-