2. Chinese mathematics teachers are specialists.
Making mathematics teaching a specialty can be expected
to increase the mathematical aptitude of the
teaching corps in two ways: it reduces the manpower
requirements for mathematics education
by concentrating it in the hands of the mathematically most qualified teachers, and it raises the
incentives for mathematically inclined people to become
teachers. Beyond its recruitment implications,
it means that Chinese teachers have more
time and motivation for developing their understanding
of mathematics. This self-improvement
is amplified by a social effect: specialization creates
a corps of colleagues who can work together
to deepen the common teaching culture in mathematics.
Thus, making mathematics teaching a
specialty works in multiple ways to increase the
quality of mathematics education.