Critical issues for formulating new teacher policies in Latin America and the Caribbean: the current debate

The  aim  of  the  Regional  Strategy  on  Teacher  Policies  from  the  Regional  Bureau  for  Education  in  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  (OREALC/UNESCO  Santiago)  is  to  produce  and  disseminate  specialized  knowledge  to  contribute  to  the  formulation  of  policies  on  the  teaching  profession  in  Latin  American  and  Caribbean  countries.  The first phase of the Strategy (2011 and 2012) involved producing a state-of-the-art study on teacher policies in the region and a series of criteria and guidelines for policy-making.  This  task  involved  renowned  experts  and  the  contributions  from  national  discussion groups set up for this purpose in eight of the region’s countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago).

The drafting process for that document and the teacher policy guidelines revealed four key areas:  initial  education;  service  training  and  professional  development;  teaching  career and working conditions; and institutions and processes of teacher policies.