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SINGAPORE: Teachers not just teaching students - but teaching each other.
That is what the Education Ministry would like to see more of with the formation of learning communities within and across schools.
There are some 1,000 learning communities in schools today, up from just 8 in 1998.
These are informal groups of teachers who gather to exchange ideas on how to improve themselves.
"Drama Etc" is one such learning community formed by teachers who believe in a holistic approach to education through drama.
"When they came together they didn't have any inkling what drama was but they were interested and some of them had a lot of potential. So with the training I had in drama, I shared my training with them, and with that we learnt together and we experienced drama together and with that they take it back to the classrooms and share it with their teachers," said Daphne Koh, a teacher.
This learning community, which has grown from 4 to 20 teachers, is just one example of how the Education Ministry would like to see teachers collaborating to share knowledge.
Many others have been set up, some to help new teachers on how to motivate their students.
"It not only broaden horizon in teaching, it enriches my knowledge, it also allows me to see different ideas and different perspectives apart from that different innovate strategies from various teachers in the other subjects can be applied to mine also, so I have definitely benefited," said Mislimah Misti, a teacher at Zhenghua Secondary School.
Speaking to some 2,500 teachers at the 3rd Teachers' Conference, the Education Minister emphasised that learning communities were critical in the next phase of education where schools and teachers would take greater ownership and autonomy for quality and change.
"It is far more impactful for teachers, in the same department or school or cluster, to come together to discuss issues of common interest and build their learning together. We have enough evidence now that learning communities have enhanced teachers' learning about their teaching practice," said Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
"I would like to encourage those of you not involved in any learning community to start one with others who face the same challenges or share the same passion. Grow your interest together or work on solutions to the common problems you face and share the new knowledge acquired with other colleagues," he added.
Supporting learning communities are just one facet of the Education Ministry's commitment to teacher development.
There have also been enhancements to new teacher training, career flexibility and greater opportunities for teachers to pursue post-graduate studies and work attachments outside the classroom.
Since 2005, almost 1,000 teachers have benefited from attachments to various organisations, over 300 of which have been in overseas locations. - CNA /dt
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