New regulations to govern teachers' participation in educational conferences
The National Institute for Professional Development in Education in Saudi Arabia announced significant updates to the mechanisms for accrediting professional development activities. It emphasized that teachers' participation in conferences and scientific forums now requires prior approval from their direct supervisor, the school principal. This procedure is part of the "Guide for Accrediting Professional Development Activities in Education," which aims to regulate the process and ensure that these events are utilized to their fullest potential, serving the school's educational objectives and aligning with the teachers' professional needs.
In the context of Vision 2030: Improving the quality of education
This step is part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the development of human capital, particularly in the education sector. The National Institute for Professional Development in Education was established to serve as the executive arm of this vision in the educational field, working to build an integrated and sustainable professional development system that ensures the enhancement of the skills of teachers and educational leaders. The shift from individual, undirected participation to a system based on prior approval reflects a strategic transformation towards making professional development more closely linked to actual classroom performance and to the school's goals and development plans.
The importance of the decision and its expected impact
The significance of this decision lies in its alignment between teachers' freedom of professional development and the school's responsibility to ensure the continuity and quality of the educational process. By requiring the school principal's approval, the system ensures that the conference a teacher wishes to attend falls within their area of expertise or serves their educational role, guaranteeing genuine added value. This measure also aims to regulate teachers' attendance at events held during official school hours, preventing any negative impact on the school day. Locally, this regulation is expected to enhance the quality of educational practices within schools, as the school principal becomes a key partner in guiding their team's professional development. Regionally and internationally, this step strengthens the Saudi education system's position as a model striving to implement global best practices in managing and developing educational personnel.
Accreditation and documentation mechanism
The institute's guide explains that the attendance process involves several structured stages. It begins with the teacher submitting an application, followed by a review by their direct supervisor. The application is then presented to a specialized committee within the education department to verify that all conditions and criteria are met. After approval and attendance at the conference, the teacher must submit documentation confirming their participation, which is then officially approved by their direct supervisor. Following this approval, professional development points and hours are credited to the teacher's professional record. The conference is defined as a scientific gathering of experts and specialists to discuss the latest developments and educational issues, making it a valuable opportunity for exchanging experiences and expanding professional knowledge.
