School-Based Teacher Development Programmes (SBTD I AND SBTD II)
UNRWA has strengthened its investment in teachers through putting in place a coherent approach to enhance teachers’ motivation, professional development and career progression. Here the focus is on in-situ continuing professional development programmes: School-Based Teacher Development SBTD I and SBTD II. The two programmes adopt a blended and self-learning approach designed to support teachers in reflecting on their teaching and learning and its impact on children’s learning and wellbeing. Teachers are encouraged to try out new approaches in classrooms and share and discuss their ideas and reflections with their peers.
The SBTD I programme was developed for all teachers of grades 1-6 students teaching different schools subjects, whereas the SBTD II targets teachers of Arabic, English and maths who teach Grades 7-12. A coherent approach is followed in both programmes, reflecting the same principles and based on the latest research about effective teaching and learning and teachers’ professional development. For the teachers to complete either programme, it takes approximately nine to twelve months. Upon the successful completion of the programme, an UNRWA certificate is awarded.
The SBTD I and SBTD II programmes address key focus areas of teachers’ practices inside the classroom, these include:
- Developing active learning pedagogies
- Developing learning-focused classroom practices
- Promoting assessment for quality learning
- Enhancing literacy and numeracy learning in all school subjects
- Ensuring the use of inclusive approaches in teaching and learning
- Engaging parents and communities in raising students’ achievement
The programme materials provide teachers with input and ideas through research findings, case studies and activities. All are directly linked to teachers’ day-to-day practices to support reflection as to the impact on students’ learning and motivation. Through actively studying the SBTD I and SBTD II programmes, teachers will become better equipped and empowered to deliver quality, equitable and inclusive education, and the Palestine refugee students will benefit.
