Report on Mathematics Teacher Preparation in Paraguay

Paraguay has critical issues, urgent and important challenges with respect to teacher professionalization, initial and continuing professional development, as well as the improvement of Mathematics Education in general. Education Reform has expanded the coverage and access to school; students are staying in school longer. However, the preparation and professional development of new competent teachers has not been guaranteed. This failure to guarantee new competent teachers has contributed significantly to the deterioration in the quality of education, and a lack of development of academic and pedagogical skills. As well as in other countries in Latin America, the opportunities for teacher training have limited impact on classroom practices. The emphasis in teacher preparation is theoretical, and is poorly designed to develop specific behaviors and pedagogical practices. In addition, the excessive proliferation of Teachers Preparation Institutes has caused a noticeable degradation of the quality of training and an educator supply saturation at certain levels. The situation is further aggravated by the lack of research, leaving decision making in education adrift. Nevertheless, Paraguay is currently developing a new scenario that is favorable for investment in education, teacher professionalization and the development of research in Mathematics Education.