Byrka M. F. Continuing education of teachers of natural sciences in the commonwealth of independent states

Byrka Marian Filaretovych

CONTINUING EDUCATION OF TEACHERS OF NATURAL SCIENCES
IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES

The paper explores the conceptual foundations of lifelong education of teachers of natural sciences in the Commonwealth of Independent States (Russia, Moldova, Belarus and Kazakhstan) according to criteria such as features, the organization model, forms, directions, duration and content of programs. It was determined that most of the CIS countries inherited old Soviet system of training of teachers, which has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Thus, in the Russian Federation, increasing requirements for teacher led to significant changes in the training institutions of education that have become institutions of Continuing Professional Education. In context of our study is interesting the idea of three-stage cascade (cyclic) of professional development of teachers of natural sciences, which implements the basic principles andragogics — continuity, self-control and self-examination of the teacher and using his experience.

Also great importance in professional development of teachers of natural sciences makes using of system based on learned credits, which is implemented in the Republic of Moldova.

An interesting experience of the Republic of Belarus, where modern conditions allowed the reduction of training in the training of up to two weeks and are increased the part of scientific or methodological training during the learning process, and distance training is actively promoted.

The main result of the system of continuous education of Kazakhstan jointly with the University of Cambridge is the creation of three basic complexes that provide a conceptual approach to training teachers based on modules education system.

The further studies may explore the conceptual foundations of continuing education of teachers of natural sciences in foreign countries.