Competence Begets Competence: The Need for Professional Development of Teachers

 

 

Gloria Kismadi

 

Learner competence as the goal of education in Indonesia will not happen if those who are entrusted with the responsibility of developing student competence in the classroom—the teachers—do not have the competence to carry out what must be done.  Crucial to the success of the competency-based curriculum are teachers’ knowledge, understanding and ability to apply classroom activities that will develop the students’ competencies needed to succeed in a fast-changing world.  This paper focuses on the professional development of teachers and the various methods by which teachers can develop their own competencies, given the various constraints that often stand in the way of pre-service and in-service training.  Theoretical approaches and the development of fresh materials will not get very far if teachers do not know what to do with them in the classroom.  Helping teachers become aware that they can develop their own competencies may be more effective.

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Kismadi, G. (2006, February). Competence begets competence: The need for professional development of teachers. Paper presented at the 6^th International Conference, ITB Bandung, Indonesia.

 

 

 

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