Deans forum reviews teacher’s education programmes

Islamabad: A forum of Universities’ Deans and Heads of Departments of education at its meeting held here at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reviewed the existing teachers' training programmes to make them more productive for quality education.

It was first meeting of the forum that was aimed at preparing recommendations for updating and improving the existing teachers’ training programmes. The form with country-wide participation of the Universities’ Deans and eminent educationists also took the task of addressing the challenges and issues, arising out the reforms introduced earlier by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the field of teachers’ education.

The inaugural session of the forum was addressed by the AIOU’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Consultant HEC Dr. Mahmood-Ul-Hasan Butt and Dean Education AIOU Dr. Nasir Mahmood.

The forum initiated a policy-debate for giving a guide-line to the policy-makers and the relevant departments. It will work out necessary changes and amendments that could be brought about in the educational reforms.

It was decided that the forum will meet on regular basis to design educational programs and curriculum in light of the national Professional Standards (2009). Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said that 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, he asserted 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.

He hoped that the Forum will be productive one in the prevailing upon the short-comings in the existing teachers’ education programs. The VC emphasised that professional development should be carried out at all levels, as a continuous process. He suggested that similar forum should be arranged at the provincial levels.

Dr. Mahmoodul Hasan Butt appreciated the initiative taken by the AIOU for improving the teaching norms and practices. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, giving a background briefing of the forum said it was necessitate for addressing the issues, presently being faced by the educational sector for producing well-trained and committed teachers.

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. He hoped that the forum’s recommendations will help further improve these programmes.