This paper has three main arguments. First, that there is a teacher crisis in many developing countries with millions of unqualified teachers entering the classroom. Secondly that if school achievement levels are to rise then appropriate teacher education and training must be available for all teachers. And thirdly that the scale of this is so great that school based forms of open and distance learning using new communication technologies are the only viable way forward. The paper argues for a basic one year foundation training programme, focused on the teaching of literacy, numeracy and science for all unqualified teachers entering schools (and within which University and college students could also participate). The paper advocates a six stage PRAISE process of policy development viz. Prioritisation, Resources, Assessment, Incentives, Support and Evaluation. Examples of initiatives associated with each of these stages are given and a call made for greater international co-operation to address the crisis.

Keywords

OER · Open Educational Resources · teacher training · continuing professional training and development · school