Pre-school Teachers' professional development needs concerning competency-based teaching

Abstract

The competency-based approach is currently introduced throughout the whole pre-school education system, and this process reveals the uncertainty, doubts, confusion, and unpreparedness of teachers for the implementation of this task. It also highlights the need to provide new guidance for the professional development of in-service teachers. The article presents the results of a survey on the professional needs of pre-school teachers for implementing a competency-based approach. The research data is obtained from focus group discussions, teacher surveys, and self-assessments from teachers’ professional development courses. The research data shows that the most topical professional development needs of pre-school teachers are linked to the need for an in-depth understanding of such components of competency-based approach as equity, meaningful assessment, personalized learning, transversal skills, and learning environments, allowing to identify the tasks for the professional development of teachers to promote a common understanding for implementing a competency-based approach in pre-school education.

Keywords: competence; competency-based approach; professional development; professional needs; pre-school teachers