Investment in professionalizing

“The differences in skills between teachers are big; 14% of the teachers in primary education and 25% of the teachers in secondary education don’t have sufficient skills to educate properly”. This is written in the ‘Educational Report 2010/2011’ from the Dutch Inspectorate General of Education. From the basic skills necessary to educate in a modern way, half of the group of teachers is missing one or more ‘complex skills’. It means that they are not able to design a sufficient differentiation in the classroom. A more efficient professionalizing must be the main target for the management of schools. The quality assurance in schools lags behind and the main role must be in the hands of the educational leaders. In the coming years the inspection of education will investigate the role between school boards and management of schools, but also the role of the school leader and the quality assurance. Further professionalizing is a prerequisite, not only by following courses, but moreover by participating in learning networks and to get a better knowledge of more effective teaching methods. Within the contacts of Dalton International it will be an important topic during conferences. From the Dutch side we won’t hide from reality and we do not blame all problems to the lack of money. Dalton still inspires more and more teachers with the right attitude and the intrinsic desire to grow in their professionalism.