Hazel promises place for School of Education

A WEEK after announcing that a four-year degree will be the minimum qualification required for persons to enter the teaching profession, Education Minister Hazel Manning has assured that the School of Education at St Augustine will not become obsolete. Instead, she said the school will offer another option to the teaching profession. In a statement about the transfer of the Valsayn and Corinth Teachers’ Colleges from the Education Ministry to the Tertiary Education Ministry, under the umbrella of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, Manning said the “experiences and expertise of the School of Education will be fully utilised.” The colleges’ are to be made teacher education faculties.

The school is part of the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). Manning said the integration of the colleges’ in the UTT “will be effected without prejudice to the ongoing programmes at the School of Education, but with a view of offering another option to the teaching profession.” The statement did not explain the option. Manning was criticised for not mentioning the role of the school of education in the new thrust to equip teachers with the “teaching skills” required to teach at all levels in the education sector.

At a post-Cabinet press conference on December 15, Manning said a working committee for teacher education chaired by Prof Kenneth Julien will continue to develop proposals to ensure there is a smooth transition of the colleges. She said in addition to the new four-year degree requirement, persons will also undergo a one-year period of induction or internship. A Teacher Certification Board will also be established.