Higher Pedagogical Education: Problems and Development Ways

The article considers the specifi cs of higher pedagogical education. It notes the contribution of domestic teachers and pedagogical science to the formation and development of pedagogical education at the end of the last century and in the early 2000s. The problems associated with the training of teachers in Russian universities and the position of teachers in society are highlighted. It notes a reduction in the number of teaching staff in rural and urban schools, and focuses on the shortage of specialists in natural sciences. It proposes measures to retain teachers in educational organizations (restoring respect for the profession, increasing wages, improving the system of targeted recruitment to pedagogical universities, the presence of a pedagogical university or a branch of a pedagogical university in each region). It is recommended to determine the main performance indicators of regional education authorities by the availability of teachers of appropriate qualifi cations and level of training in educational organizations of each locality. The need to preserve and develop small communities and schools in them is emphasized.