The Challenges of Teacher Education Reform in Mongolia
Geoff Hayward (University of Cambridge)
Mongolian policy makers have set challenging targets for national development up to 2050, with education being a priority area. At the heart of the education reform process is increasing the supply and quality of teachers entering the profession, and this is where I am involved as an advisor to the government. In this talk I will first set the context for the reform process which is taking place against a background of rapid internal migration to urban centres, particularly Ulan Baatar which is placing unprecedented strain on the city's schools. I will outline the current reform process and objectives against a backdrop of previous change efforts that were only partially successful. The challenges of teacher education are then examined and the possibilities for reform in the Mongolian context discussed. Finally, I will reflect on my role as an advisor in the reform process.