10 -
with other government priorities.
For many years the Advisory Inspectorate
has also provided part-time training for kindergarten teachers: as part
of the review of pre-primary services, however, it is proposed that
kindergarten training should be re-structured and based in the colleges
of education. The Inspectorate frequently organises ad hoc courses, for
example in response to specific requests from groups of teachers or to
introduce teachers to a new syllabus or teaching technique. Teachers
who have played key roles in particular curriculum development projects
within their own schools are encouraged to participate in such training,
their first-hand experience being of prime value. For some years, in-
service training has been carried out both by inspectors and colleges
of education lecturers as part of a Departmental policy that curriculum
development and teacher education should be firmly in phase. In so far
as any distinction can be drawn between the post-initial training
activities of the colleges and the Advisory Inspectorate it is that
college courses tend to be full-time and lead to a recognised
qualification whereas those organised by the Inspectorate tend to be
part-time and do not result in any terminal qualification, though
certificates of attendance are issued. However, if the proposals in
the 1980 Green Paper are implemented, this distinction (which is already
being eroded) is likely to disappear, and it may be prudent after a trial
period to take stock of the relative training roles of the colleges and
the Advisory Inspectorate and make adjustments where necessary.
School textbooks
7.12
The CDC Textbooks Committee, which is responsible for the
evaluation of school textbooks, is based on the Advisory Inspectorate.
Under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Inspector, the committee is
divided into subject panels, each under the chairmanship of the appropriate
Frincipal (or Senior) Inspector. The panels consist of reviewers drawn
from the Inspectorate, colleges of education, technical institutes,
J
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