Tikybos mokytojų rengimas Marijampolės kolegijoje. Dabartis ir ateities perspektyvos
Religion teacher training and future prospects at Marijampole college

Summary/Abstract: The changing nature of education in the EU and Lithuania increases the demand for more universal and broader specialization, which stimulates the search for new models of non –university teacher training. The objective of this article is to discuss the training of religion teachers, possibilities for their broader competence and expediency, based on the 10-year experience of training religion teachers at Marijampole College. Subdisciplines of the Lithuanian language and religion and expediency of integration widen the outlook of a teacher and help to prepare for moral educational work at school. Competences in two specialities (the Lithuanian language and teacher of religion) enable graduates of compete more successfully in the work market of pedagogues. The future of Lithuania especially will depend on the programs of teacher training and how they will be realized. Fast changes of Lithuanian society and education, processes of European integration and acquaintance with dominating models of teacher training in European Union make clear the demand for more universal pedagogues. At present the Faculty of Educology and Social work of Marijampole College continues long lasting teacher training traditions started at Marijampole Teacher Seminary in 1919. After the restoration of independence specialists of primary education with the specialization in religion teaching were started to train in 1994. Marijampole college cooperating with Marijampole district and with the diocese of Vilkaviskis gives an opportunity to persons in the region of south-west Lithuania to gain higher non-university pedagogical education and take over training traditions of Christian self-consciousness and to gain real Christian identity (the Lithuanian language and religion pedagogy and Primary education with religion teaching specialization in non-university study programs). Teachers whose studies are based on competences (teacher of religion among them too) while training changing ethno-cultural, Christian and religious consciousness of society members can influence the future of Lithuania. The experience of 12-year teacher training testifies the search of possibilities for competence development of religion teachers especially in The Lithuanian language and religion pedagogy non-university study program where conditions to gain two pedagogical qualifications, two speciality competencies – the teacher of the Lithuanian language and religion are formed. It is possible to appreciate as supposition of ethno-cultural and Christian identity enhancement and far-seeing rational college decision based on the peculiarities of the demand for pedagogues and research. The competence concord of the Lithuanian language and religion teachers and the expediency of connections broaden the teacher’s erudition, proper preparation for moral educational work at school and determine the Christian identity of the pedagogue and the maturity of personality.

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