04 Teacher Quality, Pakistan’s Educational Policy, and Teacher Mentoring: What Are We Missing? A Teacher Educator's Perspective

Abstract

With the recent policy developments initiated by the government of Pakistan, the issue of teacher quality has gained much more attention than ever before. In this paper, it is argued that teacher quality should be of concern for policy makers and teacher educators at both pre-service and in-service levels. By analyzing the policy actions stated in Educational Policy of Pakistan 2009 with respect to teacher education, the paper discusses three major issues lack of differentiation between in-service and pre-service teacher education, teacher preparation neglect, and defining and assessing teacher quality. Also taking on an andragogical approach to teacher development and initiation of formal mentoring are suggested as solutions to both professional development of teachers and improvement in teacher quality.