Introduction

So-called globalisation has greatly influenced learning and school education. In Asia most nation-states have adopted policies for globalisation. The policies and the background policy orientations vary from country to country. However, it is common in Asian countries that they plan educational reforms and put them into practice. In China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan and other nations on the Pacific Rim, several measures for innovating school education and renewing teaching qualifications are needed. In addition, in almost all of the countries in the regions, teachers’ professional responsibilities are put under stringent public scrutiny.