Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Challenges Faced by In-Service Special Education Teachers and Possible Solutions

Abstract

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) has become a key way to keep teachers skilled and improve education in today's schools. For special education teachers, who need to teach in different ways, support student behavior, and work with parents and other teams, CPD is especially important. This study looks at the problems that in service special education teachers in Punjab, Pakistan, face and finds solutions that can help make CPD more effective. A quantitative descriptive design was used, with a survey given to320 teachers from government and private special education schools. The findings show that teachers value CPD, but face issues like heavy workloads, limited career growth, financial problems, and lack of support from school leaders. Statistical analysis also shows differences based on factors like how long they have been teaching and their qualifications. The paper concludes that for CPD to work long term there needs to be strong support from schools, better training options teachers and policies that help keep learning and improving.