A Short Overview of the Results of SWOT Analysis

1. A Short Overview of the Results of SWOT Analysis Dr. sc. Vlatka Domović, Teacher Faculty, University of Zagreb Dr. sc. Vlasta Vizek-Vidović, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb

2. STRENGTHS EDUCATION SYSTEM AND POLICY • Tradition • Involvement of various target groups • Legislation • Participation of practitioners • Needs assessment • Increased financial resources • Political will • Decentralization • Career ladder in place • Evaluation of training events has been introduced • Induction period of new teachers and state exam

3. STRENGTHS HUMAN RESOURCES • Critical mass of well-trained teachers • Competent trainers • Enthusiasm and motivation • Good quality of work of agency advisors

4. STRENGTHS INFORMATION AND NETWORKING • Transparency and availability • Networking • Catalogues of trainings

5. STRENGTHS ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT • Organization at different levels of system • Agency for Teacher Training and Education • Agency for VET • High turnout • Cascade model • CPD at local level • Good timing of training events • Adequate facilities for organization of CPD events

6. WEAKNESSES EDUCATION SYSTEM AND POLICY • Insufficient financing • Lack of a long-term strategy • Lack of systematic needs assessment • Authorities of school principals • Ambiguous career ladder system • Incomplete and unclear legislation • Discriminatoryfinancing system • Prolonged and tardy advancement system • Lack of code of ethics • Recruitment and keeping of competent individuals in the teaching profession

7. WEAKNESSES HUMAN RESOURCES • Excessive discretion of school principals • Insufficient number of advisors in the agencies • Insufficient critical mass of d the agents of change • Lack of good quality teacher trainers • Inadequate quality of advisors in the agencies • Inadequate education ofexperts in subject teaching methodolody • Inadequate education of teacher mentors

8. WEAKNESSES INFORMATION AND NETWORKING • Lack of adequate databases • Insufficient links with the economy and university • Insufficient inclusion of partners

9. STRENGHTS CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE • Workshops • Modules • Wide range of topics • Interdisciplinary approach • Active participation of teachers • ‘Hot’/Topical issues discussed • Active work methods • Student-centered approach

10. WEAKNESSES CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE • Too few workshops • Weak inter-disciplinary cooperation

11. WEAKNESSES QUALITY ASSURANCE • Insufficeint control of implementation of plans • Lack of accreditation of institutions and programs for CPD • Lack of credit system • Lack of sanctions • Lack of self-evaluation • No external evaluation • Lack of monitoring of implementation

12. OPPORTUNITIES I • Political support • Networking • Professional assistance of advisers • Social partnership (NGOs, local community, the economy) • Use of new technologies • European and international projects • Support of the media • Efficiency of CPD - motivation

13. OPPORTUNITIES II • Supervision • Establishment of centers of excellence • Credits and licensing (licenses and renewal of licenses) • Training the trainers

14. THREATS • Insufficient support of PRINCIPALS • Insufficient financing • Lack of motivation of teachers • Organization of replacements (substitutes) and compensation of lessons • Lack of teacher standards and competencies • Insuficient research on training • Lack of control of implementation of plans in schools • Fear of change • Fear/reluctance of use of new technologies • Lack of pedagogical standards • Lack of knowledge of the overall education system • Lack of comprehensive approach to all levels of education