Teachers' in‐service training needs in Cyprus

Abstract

Needs-identification studies should be systematically conducted to bring clarity to the decisions about the expectations from particular in-service training schemes. This article aims to present the results of a research study diagnosing teachers' in-service training needs in Cyprus. For the purposes of the study, questionnaires were distributed to a random stratified sample of schools state-wide. Findings outline teachers' preferences on aspects of professional development, such as content, teacher participation, efficiency and organization. Despite the resulting diversity of collected views, emerging recommendations focus on the adoption of preferred thematic orientations, the development of alternative forms of in-service training, the establishment of links with school improvement, the shift of organizational models from the central to the local level and the enhancement of teacher involvement in in-service training activities. These findings can prove significant in shaping professional development policies within the framework of a recently announced initiative for educational reform in Cyprus.Il serait indispensable de mener systématiquement des études d'identification de besoins afin d'apporter des clarifications sur les attentes de différents programmes de formation continue. L'objectif de cet article est de présenter les résultats d'une étude de recherche menée dans le but de diagnostiquer les besoins de formation initiale des enseignants à Chypre. A cette fin, des questionnaires ont été distribués à un échantillon stratifié aléatoire d'écoles dans tout l'état. Les résultats schématisent les préférences des enseignants sur des aspects du développement professionnel, tels que le contenu, la participation du professeur, l'efficacité et l'organisation. En dépit de la diversité résultante des points de vue rassemblés, les recommandations présentées se focalisent sur l'adoption d'orientations thématiques préférées, le développement de formes alternatives de formation continue, l'établissement de liens avec l'amélioration d'école, le déplacement de modèles d'organisation du niveau central au niveau local et l'encouragement de la participation des enseignants dans les activités de formation continue. Ces résultats peuvent prouver importants à la formation des politiques de développement professionnel dans le cadre d'une initiative récemment annoncée pour la réforme de l'enseignement à Chypre.Los estudios de las necesidades-identificació n se deben realizar sistemáticamente para traer la claridad a las decisiones acerca de las esperanzas de la instrucció n de esquemas particulares de instrucció n interna. Este artículo se propone presentar los resultados de un estudio de investigació n diagnostica de las necesidades en instrucció n interna de los maestros en Chipre.Por eso, los cuestionarios fueron distribuidos a una muestra estratificada aleatoria de escuelas en todo el país. Las conclusiones resumen las preferencias de los maestros en aspectos del desarrollo profesional, tal como: contento, la participació n ...

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