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PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

The improvement of the quality and capabilities of teachers should be achieved overall through different stages of their training: pre-service training, induction training and mid-career training.

With regard to the pre-service training of teachers and their certification, the Educational Personnel Certification Law and related regulations were amended in 1988 and 1989. The aims of these amendments included: the improvement of the types of regular teacher certificates; the utilization of citizens working in other sectors as schoolteachers, and the upgrading of the requirements for teacher certification. In addition, to keep up with the revision of the Course of Study, "Social Studies" was replaced by "Geography and History" and "Civics" as teaching subjects for the purpose of upper secondary school teacher certificates.

Regarding the employment of teachers, the diversification of selection procedures and the earlier decision of appointment have been attempted, As regards the in-service training of teachers, one-year systematic induction training programs were created as programs compulsory for all beginning teachers. These programs began to be undertaken in 1989 for elementary school teachers and in 1990 for lower secondary school teachers. By 1992 all beginning teachers in all schools, including upper secondary education schools and special education schools, will have received training under these compulsory programs.

In individual schools, efforts are being made to improve the administration and management of schools with the aim of securing a sound school structure in which all teachers and other school personnel may participate in concerted efforts under the leadership of the principal. On the other hand, education authorities have been endeavoring to help appoint an increasing number of younger competent teachers to administrative positions.