Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science
Teachers of mathematics and science in Cycles 1 and 2 (elementary level) are general classroom teachers, not subject specialists, and fall into the following two categories:
- Category 1—Teachers who are graduates of teacher education centers and either completed three years in a center after obtaining their intermediate school certificate, or completed a year and a half in a center after obtaining their secondary school certificate and are trained to teach all courses (except languages)
- Category 2—Teachers who obtained their secondary school diploma and have not joined a center, but have gone on to take university courses
Cycle 3 (intermediate level) teachers fall into the following three categories:
- Category 1 or 2—Described above
- Category 3—Teachers in the public sector who hold a university degree in instructional pedagogy or are graduates of a university department of education
Within the private sector, most teachers belong to Category 2 or 3, and are recognized officially as teachers on contract with private schools. The first category (i.e., graduates of teacher education centers) does not apply to private schools.
In order to fill vacancies resulting from the growth of public school attendance, particularly at the intermediate and secondary levels, the government administers examinations to appoint specialist teachers at the secondary level. These teachers are required to hold a university degree in their subject area, and must complete a preparatory period of one year within a university department of education in order to qualify for a teaching diploma in the relevant specialty.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development
Since the 1998–1999 school year, all teachers have completed professional development sessions and have been required to attend refresher courses. Teachers of mathematics and science attend special professional development sessions focused on active methodologies for teaching and learning in laboratories. These sessions are conducted as qualification courses during the summer vacation and as follow-up courses during the school year.
In order to monitor teacher performance and offer professional development on the use of technology, including Information and Communications Technology, the ECRD conducts training sessions at teacher training centers and secondary schools, as well as other public schools. These sessions are offered outside of official working hours throughout the school year.