revistaieee7

Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies Núm. 7 / 2016
there is a positive correlation between the training of the teaching staff and students’
academic performance. 78
According to the provisions of the Royal Instructions for the FAS, throughout
their professional career, military instructors have to continuously strive to keep their
knowledge up-to-date. Firstly, because it is the duty of every military officer to attain
the highest possible level of professional competence 79 and, secondly, as an instructor
he has to strive to achieve the highest possible level of prestige and set the best example
for his students through a “profound knowledge of the subject matter he teaches, intellectual
rigour, methodology, constant work, professional competence and teaching
ability”. 80
Professional competence and teaching ability are essential requirements for teaching,
as set out in Article 73.4 of the Law on the Military Career and in Article 6 of the
Regime for Military Teaching Staff. Both regulations cite officially approved qualifications
and training for the subject the instructor is to give as essential teaching skills,
in addition to professional experience and the pedagogical skills required in each case.
The requirement of teaching ability is also provided for in Article 7 of the Regime for
Military Teaching Staff, which states that “having or being in a position to obtain a
certificate of proficiency in teaching techniques is a requirement for the exercise of
teaching duties”. 81
On this point, the importance of teacher training and preparation in acquiring the
necessary skills for the exercise of their work is highlighted, and it is envisaged as both
a right and an obligation. As a right, Article 25 of the aforementioned Regime cites the
taking of courses and participation in other activities as a means of keeping specific
knowledge up-to-date and improving one’s teaching and research skills. 82 As an obligation,
Article 128 of the ROFAS states that “military officers will take full advantage
of the resources and opportunities provided to them by the FAS to receive ongoing
training and develop professionally through teaching, instruction and training, and
devote all their efforts and abilities to achieving this”. 83
The obligation of the teacher to receive ongoing training and improve their skills
shall be facilitated through the provision by FAS commanders of every possible facility,
provided this is not to the detriment of the needs of the service. On this point,
78 GARBANZO, Guiselle M.: “Factores asociados al rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios,
una reflexión desde la calidad de la educación superior pública”, Revista Educación, 31(1),
2007, p. 57.
79 Articles 25 and 26 of Royal Decree 96/2009 approving the ROFAS, op. cit., p. 13015.
80 Ibid. Article 124, pp.13027.
81 Ministerial Order 98/1994 on the Regime for Teaching Staff of the CDM, op. cit., p. 6550.
82 Ibid., p. 6553.
83 Royal Decree 96/2009, approving the ROFAS, op. cit., p. 13028.
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