Teacher Training Programmes: Improving national quality of education

ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) deans and directors highlighted the need of adopting a new inclusive and more thorough teaching strategy at the national level to improve the quality of education. They deliberated over various aspects of teacher education reforms and recruitment policy. They also discussed modification of the teacher training programme, designed to equip prospective teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and skills required to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom as well as train them to comprehensively deliver their lessons. It was emphasized that the training should help to make prospective teachers fully responsible for classroom practice. In all developed countries, including America, Australia, and United Kingdom, undergoing teacher training is an essential part of teaching licensure. The importance of having a learned and well prepared teacher was emphasized by Dean of Education Dr Shahid Siddiqui. He stated that teachers form the foundations of society by imparting knowledge to the youth of the nation as well as imparting their values through teaching. According to AIOU Dean Education Department Dr Nasir Mahmood, the evolution of teacher education in the country took place in the form of PTC, CT, BT, then BEd, BSEd, MEd and recently into ADE and BEd four-year degree programmes.  

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2018.