King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s Project for Development of Public Education to undergo world-class professional development training across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh, KSA, January 21st 2014 – Tatweer Company for Educational Services (T4EDU) the exclusive executor of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s Project for Development of Public Education, Saudi Arabia’s strategic education services company, has announced that the world’s leading learning company, Pearson, will deliver a flagship project to provide Saudi Arabian teachers with professional development training aimed at improving learning outcomes in the Kingdom.
The Math and Science Teacher Development Programme is a ground-breaking initiative of the Tatweer Company for Educational Services (T4EDU). The project forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader education reforms, which are seeking to raise the standard of teaching across the entire spectrum of Saudi’s education system, and increase the country’s standing in international educational comparison tables.
Pearson is working with Tatweer to roll out professional development programmes for the Kingdom’s mathematics and science teachers, with the aim of enhancing student achievement in these disciplines. The programme, which can take up to two years to complete, will provide participants with an advanced level of content knowledge and pedagogy in math and science instruction. The programme will promote instructional excellence and innovation through the professional development courses based on internationally recognised, research based principals of professional learning. The programme incorporates online, face to face and self-study training, giving participants maximum flexibility and personalization in their learning.
Professional Development Director at Pearson in the Middle East, Amanda Collins says at the centre of this programme is a train-the-trainer initiative, which will see 500 Saudi-based educators undergo an intensive programme to form an active community of math and science educators who can deliver the programmes throughout the country in the future.
“Pearson will train a core team of staff from the Ministry of Education who will be be accredited to deliver the Math and Science Teacher Development Programme to primary and secondary math and science teachers throughout Saudi Arabia. This capacity-building focus of Pearson’s agreement with Tatweer will ensure this new math and science pedagogy is firmly embedded in schools across the Kingdom, and help develop an on-going culture of professional development and learning amongst Saudi teachers – something that will inevitably benefit local learners”.
The Kingdom’s Government has made student achievement in the fields of English language, science, technology, engineering and math a priority in its recent education initiatives, given the importance of these subjects to the future economic development of the country. It is hoped that the introduction of the Math and Science programme will aid in the implementation of the new Saudi Math and Science Curriculum and increase student interest and engagement in these areas. Encouraging student success in these fields will also help to alleviate some of the demand the region is experiencing for school and university graduates with strong math and science skills.
Pearson’s Senior Vice President for Professional Development, Sherry Preiss, says international research consistently shows the importance of teacher education to improving student outcomes across all subject areas:
“The Math and Science Teacher Development Programme recognises the research-based evidence that the biggest single impact on student achievement is teacher quality. Therefore, in order to improve the level of math and science success amongst Saudi school students, there is a strong need to build both teachers’ subject area knowledge and subject-specific pedagogy skills. These programmes will do that by developing teachers’ abilities to implement practical, interactive, teaching strategies for leading students in inquiry based learning”.
The programme is intended to empower the Kingdom’s educators by combining Saudi cultural values with international best practices. Designed with the experience of Saudi educators in mind, local content and pedagogy experts will help ensure all resources meet the needs of Saudi teachers.
Pearson’s Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Asiri, says that creating culturally specific programmes was a priority for both Pearson and Tatweer:
“Pearson has worked with millions of learners and educators in more than 85 countries around the world. If there is one thing this international experience has shown us, it is that learning is at its most successful when it is tailored and relevant to those undertaking it. That is why with these programmes we have been sure to adapt the language, content, examples and case studies used throughout the course so they are contextualised for the Saudi learner. Great care has been taken to ensure the entire programme is in keeping with local values”.
About Pearson:
Pearson is the world’s largest learning company, operating in more than 85 countries around the world, bringing powerful learning solutions to millions of learners every year. Pearson takes learning personally. Our courses and resources are available in print, online and through multilingual packages, helping people learn whatever, wherever and however they choose. Our education imprints combine 150 years of experience and include online support for every learner. Our innovative and dynamic digital learning products and services are changing the learning landscape all around the globe and our qualifications are positively transforming the futures of learners of all ages and backgrounds. Pearson can boast a comprehensive English Language offering that consists of engaging content and cutting edge testing solutions. To find out more, visit www.pearson.com.
About T4EDU:
T4EDU is one of the subsidiaries of Tatweer Holding Company, a government owned company and the exclusive executor of Tatweer. T4EDU currently works on implementing a number strategic educational projects and programs that aim at developing the practice professional development in public education.
For more information about the Tatweer Company for Educational Services (TCES) Math and Science Teacher Development Programme.