“‘Our collaboration with the British Council around reforming Armenia’s teacher attestation system is one of the most effective and pragmatic ones, having resulted in high quality and tailored outcomes in a short period of time. We are grateful for this.” - Minister to Charlie Walker
Life cycle
2021 to present
Country/Region
Armenia
Client/Partner
National Ministry of Education Colombia
Vision
The British Council’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme in Armenia aims to transform the educational landscape by enhancing the professional skills and growth opportunities for teachers. The vision is to create a dynamic, needs-based framework that empowers teachers to initiate and direct their professional development, ultimately leading to higher educational standards and improved student outcomes across Armenia.
Situation
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS) in Armenia identified a critical need to revamp the existing teacher attestation system. Recognising the importance of aligning with international practices and broadening the scope of CPD providers, the MoESCS approached the British Council to develop a comprehensive CPD framework tailored to Armenia’s educational context. The goal was to shift from a system-initiated to a teacher-initiated approach, providing structured pathways for both early career and experienced teachers.
Implementation
To design the framework, the British Council collaborated with Sheffield Hallam University and Armenian stakeholders, forming a working group to ensure the framework’s relevance. Public consultations were held, and the framework was endorsed by MoESCS in June 2021 and ratified by parliament in December 2022. The framework includes:
- Four development domains: subject expertise, classroom practice, learner support, and self and community empowerment.
- Twelve professional practices: covering essential teaching skills and values, such as lesson planning and understanding learners.
- Four competency levels: foundation, competent, proficient, and expert, each with detailed descriptors and associated tools like self-evaluation surveys and classroom observation instruments.
Impact
The CPD framework is set to redefine professional development for over 35,000 teachers in Armenia. Key anticipated impacts include:
- Empowerment of teachers: Shifting from a system-initiated to a teacher-initiated CPD model, allowing teachers to take ownership of their professional growth.
- Tailored development: Providing a diversified approach that recognises individual teacher strengths and areas for improvement, rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
- Continuous growth: Moving from a linear to a cyclical development process, encouraging ongoing professional enhancement.
- Enhanced accreditation processes: Upgrading teacher accreditation, specialization, and career growth pathways.
The CPD Programme represents a significant leap forward in professional development for teachers, setting a new standard for continuous growth and improvement. The collaboration between the British Council, MoESCS, and other stakeholders ensures that the CPD framework will continue to evolve, benefiting the entire educational community in Armenia.
Mutual benefit
The CPD Programme fosters mutual benefits for both Armenia and the UK. Armenia benefits from a modernised, research-backed CPD framework that elevates the quality of education, while the UK strengthens its international educational ties and expands its global influence in educational development. This partnership not only enhances the professional capacities of Armenian teachers but also provides UK educators with valuable insights into Armenia’s educational challenges and innovations.