Promoting Teacher Professional Learning in Tanzanian Schools: Lessons from Chinese School-Based Professional Learning Communities
Corresponding Author(s) : mjege kinyota,
Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS),
##issue.vol## 8 ##issue.no## 1 (2019)
##article.abstract##
This paper reports on the history, features, and challenges of School-Based Professional
Learning Communities (SBPLCs) in China to elicit lessons for Tanzania towards
improving in-service teacher professional development. Based on the Chinese SBPLCs,
this review aims to provide some insights to educational planners and teachers in
Tanzania on how to establish and maintain effective school-based professional learning.
This analysis used 30 journal articles published over the past twelve years (2006-2017)
to provide research-based evidence. The findings indicate that Chinese schools have
registered significant achievements in SBPLCs by supporting teacher collaborative
learning and research in both rural and urban areas. As Tanzania strives to promote
school-based teacher professional development, several lessons are worth learning.
Thus, the study recommends that the country endorse professional learning at the
school level by developing explicit in-school policies, allocating time for teacherlearning, offering financial and material support to teachers, and encouraging teachers to take charge of their professional learning.
##submission.howToCite.downloadCitation##
##plugins.generic.citationStyleLanguage.download.ris####plugins.generic.citationStyleLanguage.download.bibtex##
- Anangisye, W. A. 2011. Developing Quality Teacher Professionals: A Reflective Inquiry on the Practices and
- Challenges in Tanzania. Retrieved from http://aadcice.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/e/publications/sosho4_2-
- pdf.
- Avalos, B. 2011. Teacher Professional Development in Teaching and Teacher Education Over Ten
- Years. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27: 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2010.08.007. Bowen, G. A. 2009. Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method. Qualitative Research Journal,
- (2): 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027.
- Charmaz, K. 2010. Grounded Theory: Objectivist and Constructivist Methods. In W. Luttrell (Ed.),
- Qualitative Educational Research: Readings in Reflexive Methodology and Transformative practices (pp.
- –207). New York: Routledge.
- Cheng, X., & L. Wu, 2016. The Affordances of Teacher Professional Learning Communities: A Case
- Study of a Chinese Secondary School. Teaching and Teacher Education, 58: 54–67.
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.04.008.
- Cochran-Smith, M., & S. L. Lytle, 2001. Beyond Certainty: Taking an Inquiry Stance on Practice.
- Teachers Caught in the Action: Professional Development That Matters, 45–58.
- Croft, A., J. G. Coggshall, M. Dolan & E. Powers. 2010. Job-Embedded Professional Development: What
- it is, Who is Responsible, and How to Get it Done Well. Washington, DC.
- Darling-Hammond, L. 2008. Teacher Learning that Supports Students Learning. Teaching for
- Intelligence, 2(1): 91–100.
- Desimone, L. M. 2009. Improving Impact Studies of Teachers’ Professional Development: Toward
- Better Conceptualizations and Measures. Educational Researcher, 38(3): 181–199. https:// doi.
- org/doi:10.3102/0013189X08331140.
- DuFour, R. & R. Eaker,2009. Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing
- Students Achievement. Solution Tree Press.
- Eraut, M. 2011. Informal Learning in the Workplace: Evidence on the Real Value of Work-Based
- Learning (WBL). An International Journal, 25(5); 8–12.
- Gaible, E. & M. Burns. 2005. Using Technology toTrain Teachers: Appropriate Uses of ICT for Teacher
- Professional Development in Developing Countries. Washngton DC: World Bank.
- Gu, L. & J. Wang. 2006. School ? Based Research and Professional Learning: An Innovative Model to
- Promote Teacher Professional Development in China. Teaching Education, 17(1): 57–73. https://
- doi.org/10.1080/10476210500528079.
- Gu, Q. 2013. The Work, Lives and Professional Development of Teachers in China. Asia-Pacific Journal
- of Teacher Education, 4(1): 235–238. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2013.809057.
- Guskey, T. R. 2014. Planning Professional Learning. Educational Leadership, 71(8): 10.
- Hardman, F. & H. Dachi. 2012. Evaluation of School-Based INSET Pilot Programme. Retrieved from
- https://www.york.ac.uk/media/iee/documents/Final report.
- Hardman, F., J. Hardman, H. Dachi, L. Elliott, N. Ihebuzor, M. Ntekim & A. Tibuhinda. 2015.
- Professional Development in Education Implementing School-Based Teacher Development in
- Tanzania. Professional Development in Education, 41(4): 602–623. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/
- 2015.1026453.
- Hargreaves, A. & M. Fullan. 2012. Professional Capital: Transforming Teaching in Every School. New
- York: Teachers College Press.
- Hargreaves, E., R. Berry, Y. C. Lai: Leung, D. Scott, E. Hargreaves, …: Leung. 2013. Teachers’
- Experiences of Autonomy in Continuing Professional Development: Teacher Learning Communities in
- London and Hong Kong. 4530. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2012.748686.
- Herbert, S. & M. Rainford. 2014. Developing a Model for Continuous Professional Development by
- Action Research. Professional Development in Education, 40(2), 243–264. https://doi.org/doi:
- 1080/19415257.2013.794748. Hiebert, J. & J. W. Stigler. 2017. Teaching Versus Teachers as a Lever for Change: Comparing a
- Japanese and a US Perspective on Improving Instruction. Educational Researcher, 46(4): 169–176.
- Hoekstra, A., F. Korthagen, M. Brekelmans, D. Beijaard & J. Imants. 2009. Experienced Teachers’
- Informal Workplace Learning and Perceptions of Workplace Conditions. Journal of Work Place
- Learning, 21(4): 276–298.
- Huang, R. & J. Bao. 2006. Towards a Model for Teacher Professional Development in China:
- Introducing Keli. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 9: 279–298. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s
- -006-9002-z.
- Ingvarson, L. 2003. Professional Development for Teachers: Building a Learning Profession.
- Australian Council for Education Research, 3: 1–29.
- Joyce, B. R. & E. Calhoun. 2010. Models of Professional Development: A Celebration of Educators.
- Califonia: Thousand Oaks.
- Kafyulilo, A. 2013. Collaborative Design in Teams to Develop Science and Mathematics Teachers’
- Technology Integration Knowledge and Skills. Universiteit Twente, Netherlands.
- Karugaba, A. 2015. Effectiveness of Teachers Performance Appraisal Feedback in Secondary Education
- Performance: The Case of Selected Public Secondary Schools in Bukoba Municipal Council. Mzumbe
- University.
- Koda, G. M. 2012. Teacher Resource Centres: A Strategy for Secondary School Teachers Professional
- Development in Tanzania. Journal of Education, Humanities and Science (JEHS), 1(2): 78–92.
- Kolb, D. A. 2015. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Development and Learning (2nd ed.).
- New Jersey: Pearson Education Ltd.
- Komba, W. & E. Nkumbi. 2008. Teacher Professional Development in Tanzania: Perceptions and
- Practices. Journal of International Cooperation in Education, 11(3): 67–83.
- Lee, K., C. Chalmers, V. Chandra, A. Yeh & R. Nason. 2014. Retooling Asian-Pacific Teachers to
- Promote Creativity, Innovation and Problem Solving in Science Classrooms and Problem Solving
- in Science Classrooms. Journal of Education for Teaching, 40(1): 47–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/
- 2013.864017.
- Leu, E. 2004. The Patterns and Purposes of School-Based and Cluster Teacher Professional
- Development Programs. Issues Brief, 1.
- Livingston, K. 2016. The SAGE Handbook of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment: Two Volume Set.
- London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
- McLaughlin, M. W. 1997. Rebuilding Teacher Professionalism in the United States Beyond Educational
- Reform: Bringing TeachersBack in. 77–93.
- Moeini, H. 2008. Identifying Needs: A Missing Part in Teacher Training Programs. Seminar.Net: Media,
- Technology & Life-Long Learning, 4(1), 1–12.
- Msonde, M. 2011. Enhancing Teachers Competences on Learner-Centred Approaches Through Learning
- Study in Tanzanian Schools (University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong). Retrieved from
- http://hdl.handle.net.10722/146125.
- Mwakabenga, R. J. 2018. Developing Teacher-Led Professional Learning in a Tanzanian Secondary Schools.
- Massey University, Manawat?, New Zealand.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 2009. The Professional
- Development of Teachers. —. 2010. Teacher Professsional Devlopment: Europe in International Comparison.
- —. 2012. What Students Knows and Can Do: Students Performance in Mathematics, Reading and Science.
- Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/PISA-2012-results-snapshot-Volume-IENG.pdf.
- Owen, S. 2014. Teacher Professional Learning Communities: Going Beyond Contrived Collegiality
- Toward Challenging Debate and Collegial Learning and Professional Growth. Australian Journal
- of Adult Learning, 54(2): 54–78.
- Pang, N. S., T. Wang & Z. L. Leung. 2016. Educational Reforms and the Practices of Professional
- Learning Community in Hong Kong Primary Schools Educational Reforms and the Practices of
- Professional Learning. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 36(2): 231–247. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/
- 2016.1148852.
- Qiao, X. & S. Yu. 2016. Enhancing Professional Learning Communities Through Knowledge Artefacts
- in Mainland China. Journal of Education for Teaching, 42(1): 110–113. https://doi.org/
- 1080/02607476.2015.1135229.
- Robinson, W. 2014. A Learning Profession?: Teachers and Their Professional Development in England and
- Wales 1920-2000. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
- Sargent, T. C. & E. Hannum,2009. Doing More With Less: Teacher Professional Learning
- Communities in Resource-Constrained Primary Schools in Rural China. Journal of Teacher
- Education, 60(3): 258–276.
- Schleicher, A. 2012. Preparing Teachers and Developing School Leaders for the 21st Century: Lessons from
- Around the World. ERIC.
- Song, H. 2012. The Role of Teachers’ Professional Learning Communities in the Context of
- Curriculum Reform in High Schools. Chinese Education and Society, 45(4): 81–95. https://doi.org/
- 2753/CED1061-1932450406.
- Sumra, S. & J. K. Katabaro. 2014. Declining Quality of Education, Suggestions for Arresting and Revising
- the Trend. Retrieved from http://www.thdr.or.tz/docs/THDR-DP-63.pdf.
- Tallerico, M. 2005. Supporting and Sustining Teachers’ Professional Development: A Principal’s Guide.
- California: Thousand Oaks.
- Timperley, H. 2011. Using Student Assessment for Professional Learning: Focusing on Students’ Outcomes
- to Identify Teachers’ Needs. Melbourne: Education Policy and Research Division.
- United Republic of Tanzania (URT). 2007. The Teacher Education Development and Management
- Strategy 2007/2008 to 2010/2011. Dar es Salaam.
- —. 2008. Education Sector Development Programme 2008-2017. Dar es Salaam.
- United Republic of Tanzania (URT) & United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
- Organization (UNESCO). 2014. Enhancing Teacher Education for Bridging the Education Quality Gap
- in Africa: The Case of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam.
- Vangrieken, K., C. Meredith, T. Packer & E. Kyndt. 2017. Teacher Communities as a Context for
- Professional Development: A Systematic Review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 61: 47–59.
- Vescio, V., D. Ross & A. Adams. 2008. A Review of Research on the Impact of Professional Learning
- Communities on Teaching Practice and Student Learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24:
- –91. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2007.01.004.
##journal.references##
Anangisye, W. A. 2011. Developing Quality Teacher Professionals: A Reflective Inquiry on the Practices and
Challenges in Tanzania. Retrieved from http://aadcice.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/e/publications/sosho4_2-
pdf.
Avalos, B. 2011. Teacher Professional Development in Teaching and Teacher Education Over Ten
Years. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27: 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2010.08.007. Bowen, G. A. 2009. Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method. Qualitative Research Journal,
(2): 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027.
Charmaz, K. 2010. Grounded Theory: Objectivist and Constructivist Methods. In W. Luttrell (Ed.),
Qualitative Educational Research: Readings in Reflexive Methodology and Transformative practices (pp.
–207). New York: Routledge.
Cheng, X., & L. Wu, 2016. The Affordances of Teacher Professional Learning Communities: A Case
Study of a Chinese Secondary School. Teaching and Teacher Education, 58: 54–67.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.04.008.
Cochran-Smith, M., & S. L. Lytle, 2001. Beyond Certainty: Taking an Inquiry Stance on Practice.
Teachers Caught in the Action: Professional Development That Matters, 45–58.
Croft, A., J. G. Coggshall, M. Dolan & E. Powers. 2010. Job-Embedded Professional Development: What
it is, Who is Responsible, and How to Get it Done Well. Washington, DC.
Darling-Hammond, L. 2008. Teacher Learning that Supports Students Learning. Teaching for
Intelligence, 2(1): 91–100.
Desimone, L. M. 2009. Improving Impact Studies of Teachers’ Professional Development: Toward
Better Conceptualizations and Measures. Educational Researcher, 38(3): 181–199. https:// doi.
org/doi:10.3102/0013189X08331140.
DuFour, R. & R. Eaker,2009. Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing
Students Achievement. Solution Tree Press.
Eraut, M. 2011. Informal Learning in the Workplace: Evidence on the Real Value of Work-Based
Learning (WBL). An International Journal, 25(5); 8–12.
Gaible, E. & M. Burns. 2005. Using Technology toTrain Teachers: Appropriate Uses of ICT for Teacher
Professional Development in Developing Countries. Washngton DC: World Bank.
Gu, L. & J. Wang. 2006. School ? Based Research and Professional Learning: An Innovative Model to
Promote Teacher Professional Development in China. Teaching Education, 17(1): 57–73. https://
doi.org/10.1080/10476210500528079.
Gu, Q. 2013. The Work, Lives and Professional Development of Teachers in China. Asia-Pacific Journal
of Teacher Education, 4(1): 235–238. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2013.809057.
Guskey, T. R. 2014. Planning Professional Learning. Educational Leadership, 71(8): 10.
Hardman, F. & H. Dachi. 2012. Evaluation of School-Based INSET Pilot Programme. Retrieved from
https://www.york.ac.uk/media/iee/documents/Final report.
Hardman, F., J. Hardman, H. Dachi, L. Elliott, N. Ihebuzor, M. Ntekim & A. Tibuhinda. 2015.
Professional Development in Education Implementing School-Based Teacher Development in
Tanzania. Professional Development in Education, 41(4): 602–623. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/
2015.1026453.
Hargreaves, A. & M. Fullan. 2012. Professional Capital: Transforming Teaching in Every School. New
York: Teachers College Press.
Hargreaves, E., R. Berry, Y. C. Lai: Leung, D. Scott, E. Hargreaves, …: Leung. 2013. Teachers’
Experiences of Autonomy in Continuing Professional Development: Teacher Learning Communities in
London and Hong Kong. 4530. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2012.748686.
Herbert, S. & M. Rainford. 2014. Developing a Model for Continuous Professional Development by
Action Research. Professional Development in Education, 40(2), 243–264. https://doi.org/doi:
1080/19415257.2013.794748. Hiebert, J. & J. W. Stigler. 2017. Teaching Versus Teachers as a Lever for Change: Comparing a
Japanese and a US Perspective on Improving Instruction. Educational Researcher, 46(4): 169–176.
Hoekstra, A., F. Korthagen, M. Brekelmans, D. Beijaard & J. Imants. 2009. Experienced Teachers’
Informal Workplace Learning and Perceptions of Workplace Conditions. Journal of Work Place
Learning, 21(4): 276–298.
Huang, R. & J. Bao. 2006. Towards a Model for Teacher Professional Development in China:
Introducing Keli. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 9: 279–298. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s
-006-9002-z.
Ingvarson, L. 2003. Professional Development for Teachers: Building a Learning Profession.
Australian Council for Education Research, 3: 1–29.
Joyce, B. R. & E. Calhoun. 2010. Models of Professional Development: A Celebration of Educators.
Califonia: Thousand Oaks.
Kafyulilo, A. 2013. Collaborative Design in Teams to Develop Science and Mathematics Teachers’
Technology Integration Knowledge and Skills. Universiteit Twente, Netherlands.
Karugaba, A. 2015. Effectiveness of Teachers Performance Appraisal Feedback in Secondary Education
Performance: The Case of Selected Public Secondary Schools in Bukoba Municipal Council. Mzumbe
University.
Koda, G. M. 2012. Teacher Resource Centres: A Strategy for Secondary School Teachers Professional
Development in Tanzania. Journal of Education, Humanities and Science (JEHS), 1(2): 78–92.
Kolb, D. A. 2015. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Development and Learning (2nd ed.).
New Jersey: Pearson Education Ltd.
Komba, W. & E. Nkumbi. 2008. Teacher Professional Development in Tanzania: Perceptions and
Practices. Journal of International Cooperation in Education, 11(3): 67–83.
Lee, K., C. Chalmers, V. Chandra, A. Yeh & R. Nason. 2014. Retooling Asian-Pacific Teachers to
Promote Creativity, Innovation and Problem Solving in Science Classrooms and Problem Solving
in Science Classrooms. Journal of Education for Teaching, 40(1): 47–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/
2013.864017.
Leu, E. 2004. The Patterns and Purposes of School-Based and Cluster Teacher Professional
Development Programs. Issues Brief, 1.
Livingston, K. 2016. The SAGE Handbook of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment: Two Volume Set.
London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
McLaughlin, M. W. 1997. Rebuilding Teacher Professionalism in the United States Beyond Educational
Reform: Bringing TeachersBack in. 77–93.
Moeini, H. 2008. Identifying Needs: A Missing Part in Teacher Training Programs. Seminar.Net: Media,
Technology & Life-Long Learning, 4(1), 1–12.
Msonde, M. 2011. Enhancing Teachers Competences on Learner-Centred Approaches Through Learning
Study in Tanzanian Schools (University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong). Retrieved from
http://hdl.handle.net.10722/146125.
Mwakabenga, R. J. 2018. Developing Teacher-Led Professional Learning in a Tanzanian Secondary Schools.
Massey University, Manawat?, New Zealand.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 2009. The Professional
Development of Teachers. —. 2010. Teacher Professsional Devlopment: Europe in International Comparison.
—. 2012. What Students Knows and Can Do: Students Performance in Mathematics, Reading and Science.
Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/PISA-2012-results-snapshot-Volume-IENG.pdf.
Owen, S. 2014. Teacher Professional Learning Communities: Going Beyond Contrived Collegiality
Toward Challenging Debate and Collegial Learning and Professional Growth. Australian Journal
of Adult Learning, 54(2): 54–78.
Pang, N. S., T. Wang & Z. L. Leung. 2016. Educational Reforms and the Practices of Professional
Learning Community in Hong Kong Primary Schools Educational Reforms and the Practices of
Professional Learning. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 36(2): 231–247. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/
2016.1148852.
Qiao, X. & S. Yu. 2016. Enhancing Professional Learning Communities Through Knowledge Artefacts
in Mainland China. Journal of Education for Teaching, 42(1): 110–113. https://doi.org/
1080/02607476.2015.1135229.
Robinson, W. 2014. A Learning Profession?: Teachers and Their Professional Development in England and
Wales 1920-2000. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Sargent, T. C. & E. Hannum,2009. Doing More With Less: Teacher Professional Learning
Communities in Resource-Constrained Primary Schools in Rural China. Journal of Teacher
Education, 60(3): 258–276.
Schleicher, A. 2012. Preparing Teachers and Developing School Leaders for the 21st Century: Lessons from
Around the World. ERIC.
Song, H. 2012. The Role of Teachers’ Professional Learning Communities in the Context of
Curriculum Reform in High Schools. Chinese Education and Society, 45(4): 81–95. https://doi.org/
2753/CED1061-1932450406.
Sumra, S. & J. K. Katabaro. 2014. Declining Quality of Education, Suggestions for Arresting and Revising
the Trend. Retrieved from http://www.thdr.or.tz/docs/THDR-DP-63.pdf.
Tallerico, M. 2005. Supporting and Sustining Teachers’ Professional Development: A Principal’s Guide.
California: Thousand Oaks.
Timperley, H. 2011. Using Student Assessment for Professional Learning: Focusing on Students’ Outcomes
to Identify Teachers’ Needs. Melbourne: Education Policy and Research Division.
United Republic of Tanzania (URT). 2007. The Teacher Education Development and Management
Strategy 2007/2008 to 2010/2011. Dar es Salaam.
—. 2008. Education Sector Development Programme 2008-2017. Dar es Salaam.
United Republic of Tanzania (URT) & United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). 2014. Enhancing Teacher Education for Bridging the Education Quality Gap
in Africa: The Case of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam.
Vangrieken, K., C. Meredith, T. Packer & E. Kyndt. 2017. Teacher Communities as a Context for
Professional Development: A Systematic Review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 61: 47–59.
Vescio, V., D. Ross & A. Adams. 2008. A Review of Research on the Impact of Professional Learning
Communities on Teaching Practice and Student Learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24:
–91. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2007.01.004.