The involvement of sectoral specialists in the implementation of vocational education programmes is facilitated
On 11 September 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new “Regulations on education and professional qualification required for teachers and the procedure for improving the professional competence of teachers” (No. 569).
The regulations extend the possibilities for teachers with acquired education to work in an education institution at both basic and secondary education level and teach related subjects in one field. Regulations determine the right to conduct pedagogical activities for persons with higher education, but who do not have a pedagogical education, it also specifies the development of the professional competence necessary for the teachers involved in the implementation of special education. Regulations also state in which cases a person with adequate education and qualification is entitled to teach the subject or module, which consists of several thematic fields of education. Teachers develop their professional competence in three years by learning the content of the programme which is at least 36 hours long.
Regarding the vocational education teachers, the regulations specify the professional qualifications they require – it can be vocational secondary or higher education, or completed study courses within the study programme worth of at least six credit points (240 hours) or master of crafts qualification.
In addition, vocational education teachers also require pedagogical education – it can be pedagogy related study courses which are completed within higher pedagogical education or other higher education study programmes, which amounts for 2 credit points or 80 hours, or completed teacher professional competence programme in duration of 72 hours, after which a certificate in pedagogy is awarded or the right is given to implement the vocational education subject module.
Requirements for pedagogical education do not apply to those vocational education teachers, whose workload in education institution is less than 360 working hours per year. The new regulations therefore facilitate the involvement of industry professionals in the implementation of vocational education programmes.
The new Cabinet of Ministers Regulation are available here in Latvian.
Source: Cabinet of Minsiters
12.09.2018.
