Teaching Degree Meets Growing Regional Need

Wintec Bachelor Of Early Childhood Teaching Degree Meets Growing Regional Need

Approval is pending for a new early childhood education degree Wintec to be offered at Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology).

An external accreditation panel has recommended approval and accreditation of the field-based Early Childhood teaching degree, the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) in time for delivery in February 2009.

Wintec’s Early Childhood Education team has worked towards the degree development since 2002. A moratorium on initial teacher education provided a barrier to the degree development for the past six years however the institute was granted an exemption to the moratorium in February this year Wintec Dean, Merran Davis said.

“It has been a very busy time ensuring we would receive accreditation in time for delivery in 2009. For current and prospective students the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) will provide greater opportunity for them in the workforce and in terms of further graduate study,” she said.

Graduates and students currently enrolled on the Diploma of Teaching (ECE) 2003 curriculum, will have the opportunity to complete a transition programme and receive the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE).

She said representatives from Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Quality,(ITPNZ), the NZ Teachers’ Council and industry representatives had assessed the degree and have recommended its approval and accreditation as quickly as possible. The panel said they were impressed by staff, students and industry partners, as well as our campus facilities and commitment to Maori and flexible delivery and focus on the Waikato region.

Ms Davis said many field based students have dual responsibilities of studying and providing an income for their families and the degree offered students and industry the opportunity for students to gain an undergraduate qualification that was previously only available through pre-service programmes based in the Waikato. She said the degree will provide a level playing field for those students who choose to study through the Wintec field-based degree programme.

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