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Allow time for competence to grow
Research shows that, once teachers have been trained in a subject, it takes time for them to feel confident of meeting its requirements. They should, therefore,
be given the opportunity to create a firm grounding in a subject / learning area and grade before changing to a new area and/or grade;
build up a degree of expertise in the learning areas assigned to them; and
stay with a grade for at least 3 years in those cases where they have had training or are involved in curriculum projects, e.g. to improve language or numeracy.
This implies that teachers
remain in the grade and do not ordinarily move from one year to the next through a phase with their classes;
assess the competence of each learner at the beginning of a new year;
are not moved around unnecessarily, thereby forcing them to undertake new planning and a new search for resources each year. Moving in the course of the year, except in exceptional circumstances, is unacceptable.
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