Professional Programmes
Since mid-1995, Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) has developed a number of professional programmes for teachers, school heads and education officers. These programmes have been planned and implemented with assistance from the partner universities --- the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto ; and Department of Educational Studies, University of Oxford . The School of Education , Sheffield Hallam University , England , played a key role in assisting AKU-IED in developing the educational management-related programmes.
In August 2002, the Board of Graduate Studies of Aga Khan University approved new nomenclature for all the professional programmes.
Certificate in Education: Curriculum Areas
The Certificate in Education: Five curriculum areas (formerly known
as Visiting Teacher Programme) is a two-month full-time (at least
240 hours) programme that began in October 1995. The Certificate
in Education (Cert.Ed) programme aims to improve the content knowledge
of teachers while introducing them to non-traditional teaching methodologies,
curriculum development and relevant educational issues. It also
attempts to assist teachers in their personal development so that
they may gain a better understanding of their own and their students'
roles in teaching and learning. The programme creates a 'critical
mass' of teachers who gain sufficient knowledge in their subject
areas and are able to collaborate with colleagues to bring about
school improvement. The five subject areas are: social studies,
science, English language, mathematics, and primary education.
The programme is conducted by AKU-IED Master's graduates called
`Professional Development Teachers', under the supervision of AKU-IED
faculty.
Currently, the following five variations of Certificate in Education
programme are in practice, depending on the context.
School System-Based Programme
The School System-Based Programme is an equivalent of a two-month
programme, spread over a period of six months. It was introduced
in 1998. The focus of this programme is to maximize the impact upon
classroom practice through planned integration and application of
teaching skills acquired in the programme. This programme has been
conducted on-site in Pakistan (Al-Murtaza School and Ismailia Youth
Service in Karachi), and Bangladesh (AKES schools in Dhaka).
Field-Based Programme
The Field-Based Programme is also spread over a period of six months.
It has been conducted on-site in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,
including Zanzibar) and in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, under
the supervision of AKU-IED faculty.
Whole School Improvement Programme
This programme is spread over a period of one year. It has been
conducted by professional development teachers (PDT) at the Professional
Development Centre, Northern Areas (PDCN), under the supervision
of AKU-IED faculty. This innovative programme is meant to enhance
the quality of teaching, learning and student outcome, which enables
the PDTs to focus on a school as a learning organization and a community
of practice.
AKU-IED-Based Programmes (Face-to-Face)
These programmes are two-month face-to-face programmes. They are
conducted by professional development teachers at AKU-IED under
the supervision of the faculty.
AKU-IED-Based Programmes (Open Learning)
These programmes are spread over a period of six months. They are
delivered through the open and distance learning mode in Pakistan,
East Africa, Central Asia, and other countries in South Asia.
Certificate in Education: Educational Leadership
and Management
The Certificate in Education: Educational Leadership and Management
(formerly known as Certificate in Educational Management) is a 10-week
full-time course that was introduced in 1998. The Cert.Ed (Educational
Leadership and Management) programme focuses on helping Education
Officers to reflect on their current management practices through
critical analysis and to acquire new management and leadership skills,
so as to bring about improvement in the management system in government
schools. Those who have taken part in this programme include District
Education Officers, Sub-District Education Officers, as well as
college and higher secondary school principals.
At the request of various stakeholders (inside and outside of Pakistan),
the following Cert.Ed (Educational Leadership and Management) programmes
have been offered:
- A series of four full-time 10-week programmes for officers
of the Sindh Government Education Department. Participants were
District Education Officers, Sub-District Education Officers,
and college principals. Variations of these programmes are done
in various locations served by AKU-IED and its PDCs;
- Field-based Cert.Ed (Educational Leadership and Management)
programmes for the Northern Areas serving/aspiring head teachers,
in collaboration with the Professional Development Centre, Northern
Areas. It is a 10-week course, spread over a period of six months;
- The Cert.Ed (Educational Leadership and Management) programme
has also been imparted to serving/aspiring head teachers from
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, including Zanzibar, in collaboration
with the PDC Lead-in Project in East Africa. A tailor-made field-based
programme was also designed and conducted for inspectors of Kampala
City Council, Uganda;
- The Cert.Ed (Educational Leadership and Management) field-based
programme has been imparted to serving/aspiring head teachers
in Bangladesh, in collaboration with Aga Khan Education Services,
Bangladesh. The programme aims to enable school leaders to develop
their management, leadership, decision-making and supervisory
skills to provide support for school improvement initiatives;
- A modified programme has been conducted for head teachers of
community-based schools of selected NGOs and CBOs in Sindh.
Advanced Diploma in Education: Curriculum Areas
The Advanced Diploma in Education: Five curriculum areas (formerly
known as Advanced Diploma Subject Specialist Teacher Programme)
is a one-year part-time programme that was introduced in mid-1997.
The Advanced Diploma in Education (Adv.Dip.Ed) aims to provide further
professional development for those Cert.Ed graduates wishing to
enhance their content knowledge.
The programme increases the competence and confidence of participants
through field-based professional development and supports stronger
collaboration and collegiality among participants to bring about
school improvement. These field-based programmes have been offered
in five areas of specialization: social studies, mathematics, science,
English, and primary education.
Advanced Diploma in Education: Educational
Leadership and Management
The Advanced Diploma in Education: Educational Leadership and Management
(formerly known as Advanced Diploma in School Management) is a one-year
field-based programme that was introduced in mid-1997. It was meant
to facilitate the change process in schools and bring about an improvement
in the quality of school management and governance. The programme
targets serving and aspiring head teachers. The programme recognizes
the key role of head teachers as pedagogical leaders in school improvement
and in supporting the work of AKU-IED graduates.
It is expected that variations of this programme will be conducted
in other areas served by AKU-IED and others in bringing about school improvement.
|
