International Contacts: Equity and Excellence
I truly appreciate my international contacts who took the time to share with me the current issues on excellence and equity in the Early Childhood Field that their respective countries currently face.NEW ZEALAND -
My contact from New Zealand, Mr. Cyril Siosoco, shared new information with m this week. He informed me that he just got back from holidays as the school year in their country starts in February and ends in December. I never knew this as I thought countries school years were either June to March (like the Philippines) or August to May (like in the US).
In terms of equity and excellence, Mr. Siasoco shared that the major issue they currently face is related to teacher qualification. According to him, people in New Zealand believes that excllence in education begins with qualified and registered teachers. That is why in 2002, their government started a 10-year Strategic plan for Early childhood Education in NZ. The plan aims/targets to have 100% registered teachers to ensure Excellence in early childhood education. However, when the new government (National) came in about 4 years ago, they changed the target from 100 % down to 80 % because they wanted to cut down the Early Childhood budget/funding.
Mr. Siasoco added that the EC teachers together with the NZEI, which is their union for teachers, are fighting for the 100% registered teachers in the centre.
Strategy
Increase the numbers of registered teachers[5]
Action
- Build on the direction created through the establishment of the Diploma of Teaching (ECE) as the benchmark qualification for licensing in ECE by 2005, to increase the number of qualified ECE teachers.
- Pay parity for kindergarten teachers. The flow-on effects of this to the rest of the ECE sector will make ECE teaching a more attractive career.
- Extend current requirements for all teachers in kindergartens to be registered to other teacher-led services so that by:
- 2007 50 percent of regulated staff in every teacher-led service are required to be registered teachers
- 2010 80 percent of regulated staff in every teacher-led service are required to be registered teachers
- 2012 all regulated staff in every teacher-led service are required to be registered teachers.
GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS -
In addition, she said that most of the schools there espouse the progressive philosophy and use the High/scope curriculum for they see the value of play and child-centered learning. They also value holistic development, that is why their curriculum and assessments include the following areas: social, physical, intellectual, and moral. Their trainings also reflect their value for holistic development for they even require teachers to attend Red Cross seminars and health sanitation courses. Assessments of children (which is done twice in a year) also based on Department of Education standards. Ms. Masayon also informed me that this week, she attended a government sponsored seminar/training on Cayman Islands Early Years Curriculum Framework and Planning.
posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 7:13 AM
6 Comments:
It's great that they are doing so much to educate their teachers. I think that we often forget how important our teachers are until we need them. I just did assesments for my class and a parent that typically doesn't like for us to say anything negative about her child is now asking for help. It has been hard because we haven't been able to share our true experiences with her because she is very sensitive about her child. Out of respect for that we have tailored our convesations to the things that the student needs and what she is good at. Now the parent wants our help because there are issues at home that she is having difficulty with. Teachers are so important and with the proper training we can be very valuable resources.
Elizabeth: Qualified educators are a representation of equity and excellence in the education field. The education field is always changing with new knowledge; therefore, educators should always stay abreast of issues and trends that affect the early childhood field. I also believe that the government and Department of Education should merge together to maximize excellence and equity in the education field.
Elizabeth,
You are getting some wonderful feedback from your contacts! Thank you for sharing them with us!
Elizabeth, great reading your blog. In Jamaica, our school year runs from September to early July.
It is a pity that successive governments all over the world do not like to continue proposals of former governments. You would have thought that for something as important as education, they would have wanted 100% registered teachers.
Thanks for the great info from your contacts.
Elizabeth,
It's great to read about the Grand Cayman Islands and how they make sure the professionals attend seminars and training. From my experience as a teacher, it is great to be able to hear from other professionals and gain ideas from your peers. Im glad to see that other countries do the same. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for blogging this interesting information. I also thought that all school years were similar or the same. I am very impressed with the feedback that you are receiving from you international contacts. I wish I had been so lucky but as of right now, have now received any responses.
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