Ministry of Education announces the National Program for the Preparation and Qualification of New Teachers: "Trainee Teacher"
The Ministry of Education announced on Monday the National Program for the Preparation and Qualification of New Teachers, as part of its efforts to build an integrated system for preparing and professionally, pedagogically, and practically qualifying teachers before they fully assume the teaching profession.
In a press release, the Ministry of Education stated that the program for preparing and qualifying new teachers represents a comprehensive national pathway for teacher preparation and qualification prior to their permanent appointment in the teaching profession. This aims to enhance the integration between theoretical academic preparation and practical field experience within the educational environment, improve the new teacher’s readiness in terms of knowledge, pedagogy, professionalism, and psychological well-being, and support their stability during the initial years of service.
The ministry noted that the program is guided by the InTASC standards, which focus on four main domains: the learner, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility. These are structured within three primary dimensions: instructional performances, core knowledge, and professional values, encompassing ten fundamental standards and sub-standards that integrate knowledge of the learner, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility.
It explained that the professional qualification of new teachers is distributed as 45 percent for theoretical training and 55 percent for field training within schools. To pass the program and obtain the required qualification, a minimum score of 75 percent must be achieved. In the event that this threshold is not met, the teacher will be appointed to an administrative position commensurate with their educational university degree.
The ministry clarified that the target group includes graduates from colleges and other universities, subject to the approved needs and regulations. The title for new teachers under this project will be “Trainee Teacher,” based on the number of teachers required by the Ministry of Education.
The ministry also indicated that the project includes the adoption of the “Dal” platform and the creation of an electronic portfolio (E-Portfolio) for each new teacher to monitor their performance and professional progress, and to document the stages of their qualification. The trainee teacher’s electronic portfolio will be accessible through the platform under the title “Trainee Teacher Guide” on the ministry’s website.
