Reduce 'non-professional' work so teachers can focus on teaching

Associate Professor Phonraphee Thummaphan from Thailand (center) shares his insights at the conference - Photo: TRONG NHAN

On September 25th and 26th, the SEAMEO Regional Training Centre in Vietnam (SEAMEO RETRAC) held its 27th Board Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of many teachers and experts from education ministries of ASEAN countries.

Here, experts discussed various challenges facing education in ASEAN, including the development of the teaching staff.

Having participated in numerous projects to build happy schools in Thailand, Associate Professor Phonraphee Thummaphan - Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Council of Teachers of Thailand (Ministry of Education of Thailand) - observed that when teachers are happy, students will also be happy.

In typical happy schools in Thailand, one of the commonalities is that teachers are "freed" from non-professional tasks such as administration, organization, paperwork, and record-keeping.

He explained that in the past, Thai teachers were overwhelmed with unrelated tasks, leaving them with almost no time to invest in their professional development. Many schools even required teachers to work night shifts at school.

Associate Professor Phonraphee Thummaphan said that recently, the Thai Ministry of Education has been strongly directing schools to remove these burdens from teachers. In addition, teachers are no longer required to participate in unnecessary self-assessment programs or competitions.

"As a result, teachers have more time to research, learn new teaching methods, and enhance their professional knowledge, thereby improving the quality of teaching," said Thummaphan.

Furthermore, to help teachers focus more on their expertise, alongside reducing pressure in schools, there are plans to improve their living conditions. Associate Professor Phonraphee Thummaphan informed that in 2024, the Thai Ministry of Education will continue to take further steps in its plans to increase teachers' salaries. Many teachers will be able to live on their salaries and not have to take on additional jobs, allowing them more time to invest in teaching.

Mr. Lee Yan Kheng from Singapore shares his perspective on investing in teachers in Singapore - Photo: TRONG NHAN

Meanwhile, Lee Yan Kheng, Director of Professional Development, Branch 1, Institute of Teachers (Ministry of Education Singapore), stated that Singapore always pays special attention to helping its teachers update their knowledge and skills.

Specifically, the Singapore Ministry of Education regularly organizes ongoing professional development programs for teachers. These programs include courses, workshops, and training sessions to help teachers stay up-to-date on new teaching methods, professional knowledge, and modern educational technologies.

Many schools in Singapore allow teachers paid leave to attend courses or conduct research. This provides many teachers with opportunities for lifelong learning without the financial or job-related burdens of traditional education.

Furthermore, Singapore also invests heavily in educational technology. Teachers are encouraged to use digital tools in their teaching and receive continuous training on applying new technologies to their teaching and self-learning processes.

Investing in technology for teachers to avoid falling behind.

Mr. Ab Aziz bin Mamat, Director of the Aminuddin Baki Institute (Ministry of Education Malaysia), stated that in the context of rapid technological development, the Ministry of Education Malaysia recognizes that teachers and school administrators cannot afford to fall behind.

Therefore, instead of focusing solely on building digital skills for students, the country's education sector organizes numerous programs aimed at developing digital competence for teachers and school leaders themselves.

For example, in the MyDigital Trainers program, teachers and school administrators are equipped with knowledge and skills in using digital tools in teaching. They also gain access to open resource repositories containing digital learning materials, instructional videos , and various teaching support resources.

According to Ab Aziz bin Mamat, focusing solely on improving students' digital skills while neglecting teachers and administrators will create challenges for the digital transformation of education.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giam-cong-viec-ngoai-chuyen-mon-de-giao-vien-chuyen-tam-day-20240925161315011.htm