Some issues in the reform and development of teacher education and training in China

Abstract

China is the largest provider of teacher education and training in the world. It also sustains the world's largest number of primary and secondary schools. How to improve teacher education development in the light of economic growth is an extremely demanding task for the Chinese Government and educators. Recent years have witnessed a tremendous effort in China to effectively raise the standards of teachers' professional development so as to help students to play their part in developing China's economic prosperity and to enhance its place in the international market place. This article analyses the key issues in the current reform and development in China of teacher professional development. It also describes the major forms and systems of teacher education and training in China.