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The proposal includes promoting the attraction and retention of teaching talent, linking with the school system, developing continuing education, and implementing monitoring mechanisms.
The declaration was signed by Minister Nicolás Cataldo and by the executive vice president of CRUCH, Emilio Rodríguez, during the plenary session held at the University of Santiago.
The Ministry of Education and the Council of Rectors and Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) signed this Thursday, March 27, the “Agreement for the Future of Teacher Training in Chile”, in which they propose five lines of action to strengthen teacher training and thus address the shortage of teachers in classrooms.
The declaration was signed by Minister Nicolás Cataldo and by the Executive Vice President of CRUCH, Emilio Rodríguez, during the organization's regular session, held at the University of Santiago. In it, both parties commit to advancing "a teacher training system that guarantees quality, equity in the present, and sustainability for the future.".
The Ministry and the university rectors state in the agreement that "it is essential to redesign the admission mechanisms for teacher training programs, ensuring that access to teacher education is equitable and aligned with the needs of the school system," and valuing the educational trajectories of the applicants.
Furthermore, they believe that the admission model for teacher training programs should combine academic excellence and socio-emotional skills; consider continuing education pathways; guarantee quality standards; and have a technical body that periodically updates the admission requirements for teacher training programs.
To make this a reality, the Ministry of Education and the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) agree:
- Promote an updated, flexible, and equitable regulatory framework that guarantees an admissions system for teacher training programs based on academic and vocational merit; and the evaluation of the quality of teacher training programs and degrees, based on contextual conditions, that fosters continuous improvement of academic processes and outcomes
- Promote and encourage policies to attract and retain teaching talent, through incentives that strengthen access, retention and progression in the teaching career.
- Develop joint strategies for engagement with the school system, promoting the relationship between universities and educational establishments throughout teacher training.
- Promote the development of continuing education programs and support for teachers' professional careers, with an emphasis on support during the first years of employment and on further studies for professionals who wish to pursue teaching careers. In particular, implementing a program for beginning teachers during their first four years of practice and promoting the development of further studies programs in higher education institutions.
- Implement monitoring mechanisms that will ensure that changes in the teacher training system are effective and respond to the needs of the country and its respective territories.
He Minister Nicolás Cataldo He stated that the lack of teachers is not a problem of university entrance scores, tuition fees, or quotas, but rather "a problem of national development, of sustainable development at the regional level, because the shortage of teachers occurs in certain areas and territories. Therefore, it is important to reflect on the variables that influence this.".
Therefore, the minister added, the signing of this agreement complements the implementation of the National Teacher Plan, which addresses these issues, and the upcoming introduction to Congress of a bill that will improve access to teacher training programs. “This is a long-term proposal that will allow us to have more and better teachers in the future.”.
He Emilio Rodríguez, executive vice president of CRUCH and rector of the University of Tarapacá (UTA), He noted that “today, what we have committed to with the Ministry is to specifically address long-term development, resolving the challenge we have today in the short term, but with a long-range, systemic view.”.
He added that “for this perspective we have the support of all the universities in the Council of Rectors and Rectors, with their main experts, which has been built from a commission led by the rector of PUCV, the rector of UMCE and the rector of the University of Playa Ancha, who have worked on this systemic perspective.”.
The Rector of the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences (UMCE), Elisa Araya, She stated that “we are satisfied with this agreement” and pointed out that in the Faculties of Education and universities of the CRUCH there is a “know-how” that must be valued in order to reach agreements that favor initial teacher training.”.
Rector Araya added that “the country must recognize, support, and restore confidence in schools and teachers, which is a fundamental element of quality. Schools are a reflection of the country; therefore, it is a commitment not only of the Ministry and universities, but also of society as a whole.”.
Meanwhile, the Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV), Nelson Vásquez, He emphasized that “we greatly value this agreement signed with the Ministry of Education, which aims to comprehensively address the issue of teacher training.”.
Vásquez emphasized that the rectors of CRUCH are committed to contributing to "improving the school system by enhancing teacher training" and that "as education improves in the country's schools and high schools, young people and families will have more opportunities to enter universities and technical training centers, thus creating job opportunities in an increasingly complex world.".
New members of the Council
On the other hand, the full Council welcomed the rectors of the Catholic University of the North (UCN), María Cecilia Hernández; the Catholic University of Temuco (UCT), Marcela Momberg; and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC), Juan Carlos de la Llera. The rectors assumed their positions at their respective institutions in March.
Also participating in Thursday's session were the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry; the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Víctor Orellana; and the president of the Advisory Council for the Development Strategy for Higher Education, Pablo González.
See "«Agreement for the Future of Teacher Training in Chile”
Text: MINEDUC and CRUCH Communications
Photos: CRUCH Communications
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