Guangxi, China, 6-13 November 2017 – The UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) and Guangxi Normal University jointly held the International Seminar on Developing Support System for Rural Teachers . The seminar aimed to enhance the capacity of key stakeholders and effectively integrate the concept of support system for rural teachers’ professional development into national development planning and local practices. Approximately 28 government officials from education departments, teacher education researchers as well as teachers from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam were involved in the event. 

Opening ceremony of the seminar

During the seminar, 6 thematic lectures and 2 participatory workshops were organised. Experts and senior advisers from the University of York, the British Council, UNESCO Beijing Office, Beijing Normal University, Guangxi Normal University, Beijing Open University and INRULED were invited to present in the forum. Revolving around the theme of Professional Development of Rural Teachers , the delegates shared the Chinese and international perspectives and experiences in building a support system for teachers’ professional development, and discussed other relevant issues. Representatives from each participating nation were requested to give a brief overview of the development of teacher profession and teacher education in their countries, and share cases regarding teacher support system development.  A new model of supporting system for teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD) was introduced, allowing participants to acquire and critically analyse possible strategies to adapt the system into local practices. In order to offer hand-on experience, the delegates were invited to schools and educational institutions, where they explored the detailed work and function of a teacher support system in a rural county of China.

Participants actively involved in the meeting.

Field visit to High School Attached to Gyangxi Normal University