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CHAPTER SUFFICIENCY OF TEACHING STAFFAND PROVISION OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

In Japan, the Ministry of Education and the prefecture boards of education have made special efforts to improve the quality of teachers by supporting organizations for research and education and sponsoring seminars and lectures. Among the major seminars or lectures held by governmental authorities are training courses for principals and vice-principals, seminars on curriculum and seminars on various subjects. There are also programs to make use of universities for the in-service training of teachers. There are programs, which send teachers of elementary, and secondary schools to universities for retraining. Programs, which send teachers of specific subjects, related to industry to universities or industrial firms, and programs, which send teachers in charge of the education of the handicapped to universities. In addition there are various courses open to the general public in universities, which are available for teacher's reeducation.

The organization and practice of in-service training for teachers differ from country to country and their objectives and forms are remarkably diversified. In the United States it is notable that in-service training is closely connected with the qualification and subsequent evaluation of teachers. For instance, universities give credits required for senior teachers' certificates to those who take summer courses or university extension courses operated by the university. States and local authorities often also open special courses or workshops for advanced qualifications and remuneration. Generally speaking, in the United States both undergraduate and graduate courses of universities are open even in the evening, making it easier for teachers to obtain higher levels of reeducation without leaving their jobs.

In England and Wales, the Department of Education and Science, the area training organizations, local education authorities, and colleges of education are in charge of in-service training for teachers. The Department of Education and Science constantly operates l year courses of remedial education for teachers on different subjects.

In France there are three types of in-service training, The first is for informing teachers of new developments in education including structural reforms; the second is for the purpose of issuing teaching licenses; and the third involves seminars or training courses for the general improvement of one's qualifications. In Germany the practice of in-service training for teachers is different from one state to another. It is, however, common for all states to have several institutes for in-service training, which are in charge of the regular retraining of teachers. In the U.S.S.R. universities are open in the evening and there are correspondence courses for the purpose of improving the qualifications of teachers in elementary and secondary education. Teachers are admitted to these courses without examination.

The above are all courses of in-service training for teachers with formal certificates. In France there is, in addition, a system, which gives three months training to trainees in normal schools before they receive formal certificates. In Germany trainees are obliged to attend training seminars several times a month during their first two years in the profession.