Programme For School Improvement and Professional Development of Teachers: Real Stories of Schools in Sri Lanka
- August 3, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Chandana Kasturiarachchi
Department of Social Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Abstract: – The main aim of this study was to investigate the teachers’ professional development of government schools in Sri Lanka. Therefore, during this study it was explored, especially, the experiences of stakeholders of schools on teacher development initiatives are being carried out at school level. The nature of this study is qualitative and multiple case study approach was selected in this study. Mainly interview and document survey methods employed to gather information. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data gathered from the School Development Committee members those who were purposively selected in this study. It appears that the schools do not have appropriate mechanisms to identify professional needs of teachers. Still, most of the teachers do not ready to come out from the traditional way of performing duties. Every school has attended some teacher development activities as per the instructions are given by the Ministry of Education. Usually, schools use human resources available within the school however; no adequate assistance is received from the external community. It appears that although the existing rules and regulations barricade, most of the schools organize teacher development activities in facing numerous difficulties. Majority of School Development Committee members are willing to continue teacher development programmes at their own if higher education authorities provide the necessary support. Therefore, schools should be given better guidance and adequate resources by the higher education authorities for teacher development, and need to make aware stakeholders of the schools about the effectiveness of teacher professional development and staff training.
Keywords- School Based Teacher Development, Teacher Development, School Based Management, Programme for School Improvement, Training and Development, Human Resource Management
