In-service training of teachers in Cyprus The work of the Pedagogical Institute Dr Elena Hadjikakou Department of Teacher Training Cyprus Pedagogical Institute 16 March 2009 1

Structure of Presentation In-service training of teachers in Cyprus - an overview Induction Program – a case study Today´s presentation will attempt to present the Induction Programme in Cyprus that is being offered for the first time. More specifically an overview will be given about the necessity to offer such a programme taking into consideration the situation in Europe and in Cyprus. Moreover, the content of the Programme will be presented and a description about the different procedures that are followed will take place in order to implement the Programme A special reference will be done about the evaluation scheme that is applied 2

Improving the Quality of Teacher Education, 3 August 2007 Life long learning – Coherent system Initial Teacher Education Induction into the profession during the first three years with structured guidance and mentoring Career-long continuing professional development On another report the “Improving the Quality of Teacher Education, 3 August 2007”, it is clear that the Induction into the profession is considered to be very important to be done at the early stages through a structured and guided approach 3

Improving the Quality of Teacher Education, 3 August 2007 Teachers Continue to reflect on their practice Undertake classroom-based research Incorporate into their teaching the results of classroom and academic research Assess their own learning needs Moreover on the same report a very interesting list of the characteristics of teachers is included. Teachers’ reflection on their practice is an element we consider very highly. 4

Teachers’ in-service training The case of Cyprus Before moving to present the Induction Programme in Cyprus it would be useful to present some basic information about the Cyprus Educational System and the provision of in-service training. 5

Cyprus Educational System Highly centralised At the Ministry of Education and Culture: Department of Primary Education Department of Secondary Education Department of Vocational Education Department of Higher Education Cyprus Pedagogical Institute Cyprus Center of Research and Evaluation The Cyprus Educational System is highly centralised which means that all teachers report directly to the Ministry of Education and Culture. At the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culutre there are now six Departments and all Departments report directy to the General Director and the Minister of the Ministry of Education and Culture

Teachers All teachers are appointed by an Independent Body: the Education Committee Service (a list) Primary School Teachers get appointed usually after 3-5 years they complete their studies Secondary/Vocational School Teachers, depending on the subject they teach, may be appointed 3-25 years after they complete their studies In Cyprus all teachers are appointed by an Independent Body the Education Committee Service where all graduates who want to work as teachers register. There is what someone would call a “waiting list” and all the teachers get a position at schools based on their ranking order in the list It is highlighted that in Secondary Education it is compulsory for teachers to attend a pre-service course offered by the University of Cyprus if they are to get a school appointment. The teachers who fail the pre-service course they basically loose the right to be appointed.

Pre-service training It is compulsory for Secondary/Vocational School Teachers to attend a pre-service course offered by the University of Cyprus

Cyprus Educational System some numbers …… Number of schools Number of teachers Primary* Education 350 4048 Secondary Education 120 6000 Vocational Education 14 600 In Primary Education: Schools 349 Pupils 52,558 Teachers 4048 In Pre-Primary Education: Schools 253 Pupils 9,894 Teachers 625 In Special Education: Schools 9 Pupils 276 Teachers 118 * Pre-primary education is not included

Current Developments Phase of Educational reform Commitment of the Ministry of Education and Culture to promote and improve the provision of teachers’ in-service training for Newly appointed teachers (Induction Courses) Experienced Teachers Teaches who work on a temporary basis At the time the Cyprus Educational System is going through an educational reform. The provision of appropriate in-service training for teachers throughout the various stages of their career is a priority.

Pedagogical Institute

Pedagogical Institute The Pedagogical Institute was founded in 1972 Departments (since September 2008) Department of Educational Documentation Department of Educational Technology Department of Teachers’ Training

Designing the in-service training courses Priorities given by the MOEC Satisfaction of teachers needs Diagnosing teachers needs Data collection through: Instrument for the Heads of the Departments of the MOEC Instrument for the school units Meetings with Teachers Unions 13

Pedagogical Institute The Pedagogical Institute offers: Compulsory in-service training Optional courses Seminars/workshops/conferences Support for the school units

In-Service courses (1) The in-service training courses aim at long-term development of teachers. These courses are offered to school leaders: Newly promoted Deputy Head teachers of Secondary Schools Newly promoted Head teachers of Secondary Schools Newly promoted Head teachers of Primary Schools

In-service courses (2) Teachers of Greek origin who reside in the countries of eastern Europe Induction Program for novice teachers

Evaluation of the Programs External evaluation (CERE) Formative evaluation (CPI)

Optional courses Parent training on request School based courses on request Short courses offered centrally, for teachers of all levels Are held in the afternoon Meet the professional needs of teachers as those needs are identified by the Pedagogical Institute or suggested by the Departments of Ministry of Education and Culture Emphasis on action research at the school unit

In-service training Throughout the year the CPI organises: Seminars One-day workshops Conferences Considering the: Needs of the teachers Priorities of the MOEC New trends

An example …

Induction Programme In Cyprus Now is time to present the Induction Programme in Cyprus

Funding Secondary/Vocational Education Co-funding by the European Social Fund, 2007-2013 ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ

Characteristics of the Cyprus Induction Programme It does not focus on assessing the participants There are no exams There are few seminars It is not a prerequisite for teachers to get a permanent position 23

Induction Programme in Cyprus: main features Involves teachers of Primary, Secondary and Vocational Education Training of newly appointed teachers Training of mentors Definition of Newly Appointed Teachers competences

Induction Programme in Cyprus: main features Emphasis on the satisfaction of INDIVIDUAL, PERSONAL NEEDS Emphasis on school-based training Aims at developing “reflective practitioners” Support group at the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (CPI)

Newly Appointed Teachers Competences Teachers know their pupils and how they learn Teachers plan, assess and report for effective learning Teachers communicate effectively with their pupils Teachers use classroom management skills Teachers continually improve their professional knowledge and practice Teachers are actively engaged members of their profession and the wider community Teachers know their subject and how to teach that content to their pupils Newly Appointed Teachers Competences New Institute of Teachers (2006). Professional Teaching Standards. Available on line at: http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/ 26

Model The CPI support group: does not evaluate visits the schools makes use of new technologies (www.pi.ac.cy) 27

Training of Newly appointed teachers Aim: To enable the induction of newly appointed teachers in the teaching profession by providing support to: their Personal/emotional needs their Professional and practical needs/Solving Problems the Development of their critical reflection in relation to their teaching practice

Training of Mentors Aim: To promote the successful development of the mentoring relationship between the mentors and the newly appointed teachers, especially since the mentors are expected to play an influential role in the school unit 29

Emphasis on the reflection Assessment Certain instruments have been developed by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute for: Diagnosing each novice teacher’s needs Developing an Individual personal plan Using whenTeaching, Co-teaching, Observing lessons Emphasis on the reflection 30

Material Booklets Notes for the Instructors CPI’s web-site for Induction Programme (www.pi.ac.cy) under development

Evaluation of the Programme Formative Evaluation carried out by the CPI External evaluation CERE