Ministry of Education: Academic year for training new teachers according to specific programs and assessment tests to measure readiness

Alaa Khalifa: An educational source told Al-Anbaa that details regarding the mechanism for training and qualifying new teachers have been clarified. The source explained that the program for trainees includes a training period spanning an entire academic year, beginning with the start of the school year and ending at its conclusion, alongside training programs and evaluative tests designed to measure graduates’ readiness to work in the educational field.

The source noted that graduates are assigned according to their specializations, with follow-up communications to complete procedures specific to each specialization. Trainees begin the program with the title “trainee teacher” and commence their work in schools under the supervision of relevant educational authorities.

Training is not limited to theoretical aspects; it includes field training within schools, as well as attendance and observation of actual classes and teaching situations. This allows trainees to gain practical experience and understand the nature of work within the school environment.

Trainees also undergo evaluative tests during the training period, including one that determines whether they have successfully completed the training phase and are prepared to move to the next professional stage. The evaluation may include practical aspects related to lesson delivery, explanation methods, interaction with students, and the trainee’s ability to apply what they learned during the qualification period.

The source pointed out that the evaluation mechanism allows trainees who fail on their first attempt to retake the test, in accordance with approved regulations and procedures. Passing the required tests represents a crucial milestone in the transition from the training phase to working officially as a teacher.

There have been discussions among trainees that the final evaluation result may also determine the graduate’s career path, whether continuing in the educational track as a teacher or moving to an administrative track. This has prompted calls for official and precise clarification from relevant authorities regarding the evaluation mechanism and criteria for transitioning between career paths.

Regarding the employment status of trainees, the source revealed that proposals are under consideration to review the mechanism for calculating the training period, particularly if it extends for a full academic year. This would establish a clear process for transitioning from the title “trainee teacher” to the professional title “teacher” after passing the required tests and evaluations.

The source emphasized that the importance of the issue lies in the need for complete clarity for graduates from the start of the program regarding the duration of training, nature of working hours, evaluation mechanism, number of test attempts, consequences of passing or failing, as well as the career path, title, and financial grade after the training period ends.

The source stressed that clarifying these details by the Ministry of Education would put an end to the debate and inquiries circulating among graduates, ensuring that new teachers enter the training phase with full knowledge of their rights, duties, and the mechanism for transitioning to official teaching positions.

Educational circles are awaiting the Ministry of Education’s decision, which is expected to be issued next week.