Universities Deans call for adopting compressive strategy to improve teaching quality

Islamabad, (Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2018) : Universities' Deans, Directors and eminent educationists have underlined the need of adopting a comprehensive strategy at the national level to improve teaching quality.

At their joint forum, organized here by Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) they made a number of recommendations for upgrading teachers' education and their recruitment policy. During the day-long deliberations, they discussed various aspects of planning of teacher education reforms, post reforms scenario, quality concerns and the recruitment policy.

It was the first meeting of the forum that was presided over by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui. They also deliberated upon the existing teachers' training programs, designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom and school as professionals.

It was emphasised that the training should help to make prospective teachers fully responsible for classroom practice. It was pointed out that in all developed countries like Australia, America and United Kingdom pre-service teacher training is considered an essential part of teaching licensure.

It was further emphasised that the prime focus of the training should be to familiarize the new inductees with the particular culture of the institution and to prepare them by aligning their already possessed knowledge, skills and dispositions with the particular requirements of the job.

According to Dean Education, AIOU Dr. Nasir Mahmood, the evolution of teacher education in the country took place in the form of PTC, CT, B.T, then B.Ed, B.S.Ed, M.Ed and recently into ADE and B.

Ed four-year degree programs. Endorsing the status of teaching as a profession National Professional Standards (2009) were introduced which specified the three dimensions of teaching profession i.

e. the knowledge, skills and dispositions as part of pre-service teacher training programs. The Forum's participants that represented various universities of the country emphasised that teacher education institutions and Provincial departments of education need to be on the same page for a common cause of improving teaching quality.

Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in his opening remarks emphasized for reformation and transformation of teacher education and teaching in Pakistan. He highlighted the value of ethical and dispositional discourse within teacher preparation.

The teachers are the important component of quality education. They needed to focus on knowledge, skill and attitude to leave a good impact on the students for their proper brought-up. The teachers should be a role-model before his students for all practical purposes.

He should enrich and modify the available curriculum through better performance and conduct in the class-room, the VC added.