A Habermasian Analysis of Qatar's National Teacher Professional Standards

The belief that implementing professional standards will improve teaching and learning has led many countries to embrace standards based educational reforms. Qatar is one of those nations implementing, Education for a New Era that includes the adoption of professional teacher standards. This paper examines Qatar’s professional standards for teachers using Habermas’ knowledge constitutive interests (KCIs) as a theoretical framework. Findings provide insight into how the KCIs are embedded in the professional standards. Suggestions are provided regarding the possible use of Habermas’ knowledge constitutive interests in the preparation of teachers. 

The belief that implementing professional standards will improve teaching and learning has led many countries to embrace standards based educational reforms. Qatar is one of those nations implementing, Education for a New Era that includes the adoption of professional teacher standards. This paper examines Qatar’s professional standards for teachers using Habermas’ knowledge constitutive interests (KCIs) as a theoretical framework. Findings provide insight into how the KCIs are embedded in the professional standards. Suggestions are provided regarding the possible use of Habermas’ knowledge constitutive interests in the preparation of teachers.