Development of teacher education programs in Hong Kong

Teacher education is currently on the reform agenda where it needs to be, given the current status and working conditions of teachers in Hong Kong. Rationale of the design of teacher education program is under heated debate among players in education. One of the SIG (study interest group) in HKIEd in curriculum development and implementation would like to share their findings concerning issues that confront teachers and teacher educators. This symposium aims to discuss teacher education from several angles. It will discuss teacher education from the educational leader's perspectives; compare perception of training needs for primary school teachers between school practitioners and educators; and explore program development strategy for teacher education. Results from quantitative and qualitative surveys will be used as a base for the discussion. Perspectives of the players in education on impression, expectation, quality, strengths and weakness of teacher education are described. Suggestions for reform and proposed models for teacher education program are offered. Findings discussed in the symposium may be helpful in the preparation of future teacher education program.