“ITA’s Professional Development Program”

Collaboration

This program is collaboration between Plymouth State University, USA and
Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi and School Improvement Network Pakistan.

Project is funded by US Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs.

Program Focus Year wise

PELI Alumni by Province

 Overview 2004

Rationale
The 2004 Pakistani Teachers Training Summer Institute was the inaugural program, superseding the 9/11 commission Report which included a recommendation to “strengthen long-term U.S. and international commitments to the future of Pakistan” The Institute 2004 brought 25 Pakistani administrators, Managers  and teachers to campus for a five-week groundbreaking program and cross-cultural exchange, Funded by $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, the goal was to help educators enhance their subject knowledge, pedagogical skills and disposition toward new ways of teaching. It is Collaboration between Plymouth State University (PSU) NH, USA and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) and School Improvement Network Pakistan (SINP).Plymouth State University Teachers Training Program is a continuation of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi,s (ITA) or “Centre for Education and Consciousness” struggle for capacity building of stakeholders from the education sector. This training is aimed at improving the pedagogical skills and knowledge amongst the teachers belonging mainly from the Public sector and from ethnically and geographically diverse backgrounds. Teachers themselves have been demanding for such training opportunities. This training program is expected to fulfill their demands and enhance their capacity to promote quality education in Pakistan.

Program Goals

• To develop and deliver technical training in the areas of Mathematics & Science and English focusing secondary level teachers and education managers / administrator.
• To build and promote mutual understanding between the USA and Pakistan through such cross cultural education linkages.

 Program Objectives
1) To provide training to 20 to 25 educators for a period of 5 weeks.
2)  To upgrade the skills of participants to improve their abilities in their respective fields.
3)  To introduce the modern techniques to participants, used in educational institutions.
PSU Profile
Plymouth State University is a coeducational, residential university with an enrollment of approximately 3,800 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students. Plymouth State University was established in 1871 and over the years has expanded to 170 acres and forty-six buildings. During its history, the institution has evolved from a normal school to a teachers' college to a state college and in 2003 to a state university. Plymouth State University preserves the brick-and-ivy look of its New England small-college heritage while integrating state-of-the-art technology and facilities into an attractive, contemporary campus design. The university offers B.A, B.Ed, B.Sc, M.BA, M.A and M.Ed degrees and the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Education. Plymouth State University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the New Hampshire Post Secondary Education Commission, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteriawas collaboratively designed by representative from Ministry of Education, Curriculum Wing, Federal College of Education and Provincial Training Institutes, such as the Government Colleges of Elementary Teachers (GCET) and Provincial Institute of Teacher’s Education (PITE), Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), School Improvement Network Pakistan (SINP) and Plymouth State University. The mutually agreed criteria were as follows:

Age:   30-45(Exceptional Cases up to 50-55 may be considered)
Educational Qualification: Minimum BA/B.Ed, B.Sc/B. Ed, Preferably MA/MSc/ M.Ed.
Experience: At least 5 years of working experience as a teacher/trainer/ Administrator/Manager
Language Proficiency: Fairly good and adequate knowledge of English Language.
Selection Criteria The selection process is transparent and applied with rigor to all eligible applicants.

In addition to these numeric scores, following factors are also considered.

• Preference is given to qualified candidates who have not attended trainings outside Pakistan.
• Preferably equal number of candidates from a pool of English Language, Mathematics, Science teachers and Administrators.
• Preference is given to teachers associated with government schools.
• Preference is given to female candidates.

The final selection review is undertaken by PSU as clearly stated in their terms of reference for the project.  All successful candidates on their return to Pakistan are expected to work in their respective areas of specialization by using their newly acquired skills and knowledge after attending the training institute.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND BENEFICIARIES
 Keeping in view the program goals, objectives and Pakistan’s current educational challenges in the delivery of quality education, it is expected that through the implementation of this project the following outcomes well be realized:

• New skills, knowledge and attitudes are sustained within the participating institutions and leading to improved organizational performance and teaching and learning outcomes in the core areas of Math, Science and English language.
• Participants on returning to their work sites will commit themselves to share their new knowledge, skills and perceptions with colleagues and will influence outreach-training services within Pakistan.
• Participants will form networking teams and linkages with other groups to mutually enhance capabilities, reinforce leadership potentials and promote positive pedagogical trends within the country. It is hoped that such initiatives will lead to better learning outcomes and professionalism in the field of teaching in Pakistan.
• Such programs will promote goodwill and cultural understanding between the Pakistani and American participants.

The direct beneficiaries of this project are/ will be the Pakistani educators selected for this five-week professional development program. Primary target group are secondary level teachers and school managers in the areas of Math, Science, English and School Administration/ Management.
ITA and SINP are ensuring that this program is linked to its SINP network partners who will be provided with such opportunities for professional development and ensuring responsibility for sharing the skills upon their return with other partner schools.