On October 23rd 2013, the “National Training Plan for Kindergarten Teachers (2013)” child-care skills training programme for transferred teachers in Shaanxi’s rural kindergartens, undertaken by Xi’an Radio and TV University (RTVU), held its first class. Through various methods including mass learning, self-directed learning, feature seminars, interaction and exchange, site inspection and comment on the scene, and face-to-face training and distance following guidance, this training is aimed at helping trainees grasp the vocational requirements for preschool education teachers, understand the theory and practice of preschool education at home and abroad, and become intimately acquainted with childhood development characteristics and growing rules so as to become more capable at child care and effectively enhance the educational development level of transferred preschool education teachers in rural areas.
Trainees taking group photo with their work
The training class was carried out in two phases, over a period of 15 days, and including 100 trainees. The course is comprehensive and requires full-time study. The trainees came from 10 districts and counties such as Weiyang District, Lintong District, and Chang’an District.
It is the first time that Xi’an RTVU has undertaken such training. Advancement and preparation had been made in course design, hiring teachers, practice and observation, interactive discussions, and even daily life. Xi’an RTVU also used its expertise in online learning to integrate this new mode of training into its programme for training kindergarten teachers.
Yuan Fenguang, the President of the Teacher and Cadre Education Institute of Shaanxi Normal University and the Director of Management Office of Shaanxi’s “National Training Plan”, along with Zhao Xiaolin, Deputy Director of the Education Bureau of Xi’an, Su Li, Chief Executive of Programme Department of the Management Office of Shaanxi’s “National Training Plan”, Zhang Ning, President of Xi’an RTVU, Song Jun, Vice President of Xi’an RTVU, and the related working staff responsible for the programme, as well as the first 100 kindergarten teachers who took part in the training, all attended the opening ceremony.
Yuan Fenguang pointed out that this training class is an important part of the mid-west programmes of the “National Training Plan”, and also plays a key role in Shaanxi Province's Education Department in their push for the professional development of transferred provincial preschool education teachers and truly balanced development of preschool education. He expressed hope that Xi’an RTVU could develop its own features and finish the training with high quality.
Zhang Ning pointed out that training for preschool education teachers is one of the key tasks of the “National Training Plan”, and also the top priority in the educational development of Xi’an. Undertaking the tasks associated with the “National Training Plan” not only means recognition of the strength and administrative capacity of Xi’an RTVU, but also its responsibility and duty in serving local economic and social development. Xi’an RTVU will continuously explore and create training and management models for preschool education and preschool teachers, establish and perfect quality assurance systems related to preschool education and teachers, and reinforce workable measures and improvement of mechanisms so as to create conditions for establishing non-degree continuing education platforms in Xi’an.
By Xi’an RTVU