TEACHER TRAINING - BASIC AND SPECIALIST TEACHER TRAINING

Mainstream teacher training

Pre-school Education
Teaching and guidance staff within day-care centres has either Bachelor’s degrees from a university or a polytechnic or what used to be known as post-secondary vocational qualifications. In addition, they may be assisted by other child-care professionals with relevant upper secondary vocational qualifications.

Compulsory Education and General Upper Secondary Education
Teachers in the first six forms of basic education are usually generalists (class teachers), whereas those in the last three forms and at upper secondary level are subject specialists (subject teachers). Class teachers are Master of Education and subject teachers have completed a Master’s degree in the subject they teach as well as pedagogical studies.

Special Needs Education
Special needs education is provided for pre-primary pupils by special kindergarten teachers, part-time special needs education for pupils in mainstream basic education is provided by special needs teachers, while pupils who are admitted or transferred to special needs education are taught by special needs class teachers. Vocational special needs teachers work at both mainstream vocational institutions and vocational special institutions. It is possible to study special needs education as major and take higher first degree. In addition, teachers can qualify themselves for special kindergarten teachers, special needs teachers or special needs class teachers.

In addition to special needs teachers, educational services also employ special needs assistants, educational guidance and school welfare officers, psychologists, doctors, pupil and student counsellors and various therapists. State-owned special schools and vocational special institutions also have social workers, nursing and accommodation staff and other staff to cover school transport, for example.

The departments of teacher education and continuing education centres of universities and the National Board of Education provide teachers with further and continuing education and training every year.