Research On Problems And Strategies Of The Teachers' Professional Development In The Undeveloped Areas

Professional development of teachers has not only become a trend among all the countries throughout the world, but it is also the general direction and goal of reform of teacher education in our country. Currently, teachers in rural China make up a major part of all the primary and middle school teachers in our country. It is well acknowledged that the quality and professional development of this particular group will have direct bearing on the quality of basic education as a whole and the future of the national quality in China. Thus, it is of great importance to look into teachers' professional development, especially that of those in rural and relatively poor areas in China. It is necessary to do on-the-spot investigation to get information about current situation of professional development of teachers in rural areas and to find out existing problems in order to put forward final strategies for future development. This will benefit both basic education in rural areas and even the whole education in the country.Based on documental research of professional development of teachers both in and out of the country, this thesis explores the use of both theory research and interview with people in the field. Yudian Town in Xincai County of Henan Province is taken for case study in order to find out current situation and causes of existing problems in professional development of teachers in rural and poor areas in China.The on-the-spot investigation is carried out through questionnaires and interviews, which reveals the most urgent problems to be solved in professional development of teachers in Yudian of Henan province are as follows: the structure of teachers is irrational and needs to be integrated; teachers' treatment is too low while their pressure is very high, and teachers' social status also needs to be raised; teachers' professional status is low and need to be optimized; finally, training funds need to be increased and quality assurance system to be optimized. According to the foregoing analysis of currently existing problems of professional development of teachers in Yudian, it is the purpose of this thesis to further identify both the external and internal affecting factors which include the financial input of education, personnel system, continuing education system of teachers and individual teachers. Finally, new approaches towards professional development of teachers in rural China are given after a plural analysis of different aspects including the effort of the government, training organizations of teachers, schools and also each individual teacher. Strategies and suggestion are also put forward which include establishment and promotion of an external support system, construction of a training mechanism and continuing education system, implementation of school-based training, and also cultivating of a sense of self professional development.