Abstract

This study examines the development of the preschool teacher workforce to meet professional standards in Cu Lao Dung Commune, Can Tho City. The survey involved 92 participants, including five principals and vice- principals and 87 teachers. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, professional discussions, classroom observations, and document analysis and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Awareness of the need for teacher development received a mean score of 3.05 on a four-point scale. Across six management dimensions, mean scores ranged from 2.38 to 2.82, with teacher deployment receiving the highest rating and recruitment the lowest. Major limitations concerned workforce forecasting and resource planning, competency- based recruitment, opportunities for teachers to develop individual strengths, support for self-directed learning, and the use of evaluation results in professional development. Policy mechanisms were rated as the most influential factor. The findings provide a basis for improving workforce planning, recruitment, professional learning, evaluation, and workplace support in accordance with local conditions.

Keywords: Can Tho City, Cu Lao Dung Commune, preschool teachers, professional standards, teacher development.