Background
The higher diploma program was developed in 2003 based on the identified needs of teacher educators. It was introduced in all TEIs (Teacher education institutes) in Ethiopia from October 2003 as a new compulsory qualification for all teacher educators. The program provides teacher educators with a practical program to support their development as effective and reflective practitioners with enhanced professional status. Graduate of the HDP are able to model active learning and continuous assessment, manage change and contribute to the raising of standard within the Ethiopian education system.
The HDP is standardized by the process of moderation across all institutions and has the flexibility to be related to the school cycle, subject specialist and particular pedagogic interests of the candidates. It is based on practice both in the TEIs and the schools. The focus is on the learning process and relates directly to teaching methodology and the requirements of the pre-service program and the practicum.
The HDP lasts for one academic year and provides time for attending HDP sessions, regular observation and feedback, school placement, action research, and Professional meetings with the HDP leader (HDL). Teacher educators taking the HDP Have to complete a number of curriculum research projects showing that their work for the diploma has had a significant impact on improving their own teaching practice. Throughout the year long training, reflection on classroom practice and research should lead to continuing and sustained development in teaching. Teacher educators continue to carry out their full time teaching commitment while they are taking HDP. Most of the work of the HDP is based in their own teaching and other professional activities.
objectives
The program has the following major objectives:
- Support the full implementation of TDP
- Enable candidates to identify their own needs and become reflective teacher educators
- Support teacher educators to develop teaching as a skill, based on sound theoretical knowledge and experience
- Encourage candidates to use active learning and student centered teaching methods
- Promote teacher educators to become role models of good practice by effectively implementing the core elements of the HDP in their teaching
- Ensure that all teacher educators have high standards of professional ethics and clear values
- Support teacher educators to provide a high quality learning experience for students teachers
Services provided
The objectives are achieved through the delivery of four modules plus the school experience. Each module is divided into a number of sessions and active learning and continuous assessment methods are key characteristics of each module.
The HDP is based in teacher education Institutes across the country. In each TEI there are HDP Leaders (HDLs) who are working as a team to deliver training for the HDP. TEIs are clustered into regional groups that are close to the nearest university for moderation, support and monitoring purpose. Support for regional satellite TEIs by the moderating university is conducted through informal but continuous contact and visits, workshops and moderation Visits to ensure that national standards of the program are maintained.
HDP has been centrally coordinated and facilitated by the Ministry of education. However, there is an increased transfer of responsibilities to the universities. To support this transfer of responsibility to the universities, new roles have been created: the role of the university higher diploma coordinator (HDC) and the university higher diploma moderator (HDM). The universities are now responsible and accountable for registering candidates, moderating and evaluating the work of candidates and providing the necessary support for the HDP within their institution and satellite TEIs. In addition, they are also responsible for the issuing of certificates to graduates of the HDP.
Jimma University is one of the seven moderating universities for HDP and hence is responsible for coordinating, monitoring and moderating its satellite groups: Jimma Teachers college, Bonga, Mettu, Wolega University, Mizan, and Debidolo. Therefore, HDP team in Jimma University consists of: HHC, HDM, HDL and HDT (higher diploma program tutor. The detailed roles and responsibilities of these personnel can be found in the guideline prepared by Ministery of Education and distributed to the universities.