Lihong Huang is a research professor at Oslo Metropolitan University, has been a research coordinator for several national and EU funded projects on youth democratic citizenship and citizenship education such as Norway participating in the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2016) (2013-2019, funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training), ‘DEMOCIT – Democracy, Equality, Learning and Mobilisation’ (2020-2023, funded by Research Council of Norway) & ‘STRIDE – Strategies for achieving equity and inclusion in education, training and learning in democratic Europe’ (2024-2027, co-funded by the European Union GA 101132339 and UK Research and Innovation GA 101088499. She has been an editor of the research journal published by Sage YOUNG during (2017-2024). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0315-4369

This paper compares primary education systems in Malta, Norway, and the Philippines, focusing on teacher qualifications, professional development, and their relationship to teaching methods and student achievement. Using policy analysis and TIMSS 2019 data from over 13,000 students, 6,000 teachers, and 428 schools, the study examines national regulations, teacher competence, and classroom practices. Findings highlight similarities and differences across contexts, revealing how teacher development policies shape effective teaching and learning outcomes.