UNESCO Launches Leadership Training Project for Teachers in Rural Areas
The UNESCO National Commission and the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, in collaboration with the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University and the independent platform for teachers known as “Teachers Lab,” coordinated an orientation workshop in Almaty within the framework of the Remote and Rural Schools (RARS) project. During January 29 and 30, a seminar introducing teacher leadership was conducted for educators and school principals from rural schools in the Atyrau, Mangystau, and Almaty regions. The primary objective was to enhance the quality of education within schools situated in the rural areas of Kazakhstan.
As part of the RARS and UNESCO’s pilot initiative, 11 secondary schools from the Almaty, Atyrau, and Mangystau regions were incorporated. Teachers and school principals participated in the project actively attended the 2-day workshop. The workshop was led by Dr. David Frost and a team from the HertsCam International Network (UK), who introduced the concept of “Teacher Led Development Work” and non-positional teacher leadership through the development of professional learning communities within schools. Dr. Frost, leading the workshop, underscored the numerous opportunities presented by the teacher leadership project, applicable to rural schools in nearly every region.
The workshops conducted as part of the project provided teachers with the chance to independently create, implement, collaborate, and lead without relying on external assistance or instructions. Additionally, these workshops offered insights on how to effectively manage their professional and personal challenges and apply this in practice.
The primary goal of the RARS project is to enhance the professional development of teachers in rural areas by establishing professional learning communities among educators in the field. Anticipating a successful long-term implementation of the project, it is expected to positively impact the overall quality of education.