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Belgium (Flemish)
Country	Belgium (Flemish)
Topic:	Specialist teacher training
	Belgium has developed a system of specialised teacher training since 1914. However until the decree of 1994 concerning higher education, training for teachers in special education was mainly organised via small part-time courses, mostly on voluntary basis, for practicing teachers in special schools. The higher education decree made it possible to organise a more comprehensive programme of complementary training in special education for already qualified teachers, whether or not they are actually teaching in a special school. So, the former special education courses were converted into a particular form of additional teacher training. Both teaching and therapeutic staff from special and mainstream schools have access to these courses. Training is part-time and connected to the initial teaching/practical experience of the course participants. This training is organised by colleges of higher education which also organises initial teacher training. As an informal rule, special school boards want their staff to have that certificate, or to acquire it during the first years. By following this course, the trainee acquires a qualification 'certificate of competence for special education'. It gives these teachers a small salary benefit. Curricula for the supplementary special education courses is based on an analysis of the professional role of special teachers or other staff in different settings of special education. A specific professional profile and an elaboration of the ordinary basic competencies has been developed. However, these specific items are partly integrated into the common profile and competencies for all teachers (please refer to the section on Basic Teacher Training). The items which are not touched upon by the common training must be achiveved by the additional teacher training for special education. Training encompasses 240 hours of instruction and 420 hours of practice in a special education environment. Courses run over at least two schoo lyears. Throughout the training course, participants are supported by mentors: experienced staff from the same school as the trainee.
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