Qualified and motivated teachers and instructors are key for effective learning and are at the heart of TVET quality. Effective policies and frameworks aimed at professionalizing TVET staff and improving their development, living and working conditions are considered essential measures and constitute an important aspect of the Shanghai Consensus, agreed at the Third International Congress on TVET organized by UNESCO in Shanghai (China) in May 2012.

To address this issue, the International Task Force on Teachers for Education for All, in close collaboration with the UNESCO TVET Section, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre and the UNESCO Regional Bureau-Beirut, has initiated a review of teacher and instructor training policies and practices starting from the Arab Region.

The objectives of this initiative are to provide an up-to-date analysis of existing TVET teacher and trainer training and career management policies and practices and indicate likely regional trends and challenges. In addition, the review will provide a framework for comparison of prevailing practices in order to facilitate collaboration and partnership at regional level among countries and institutions of the Arab region and beyond.

Extensive research and fieldwork by multiple stakeholders at country level will be consolidated and combined into a synthesis report to be published in 2013.

Expected results: better understanding of policies and practices on teachers and instructors in the Arab region;  strengthened national capacities of participating countries for the development of teacher and instructor training and career management policies and practices; and enhanced regional cooperation in the area of TVET teachers and instructors.