UNBC To Offer New Teacher Education Program
March 20, 2002 For Immediate Release
This fall, about 30 students will be entering a new bachelor's degree program in Teacher Education at the University of Northern British Columbia. The Bachelor's of Education (BEd) program has been in development at UNBC for more than two years and has been designed to combat a shortage of teachers in northern British Columbia schools.
This fall, about 30 students will be entering a new bachelor's degree program in Teacher Education at the University of Northern British Columbia. The Bachelor's of Education (BEd) program has been in development at UNBC for more than two years and has been designed to combat a shortage of teachers in northern British Columbia schools.
The new program will initially provide education and training to students
who wish to become school teachers at the early (kindergarten to grade
5) level. The University is expecting to implement a senior years (grades
9 - 12) program in September 2003 followed in the future by a middle
years (grades 6-8) stream. The program will be open to students who
have already completed a bachelor's degree in an academic area that
is commonly taught in BC schools, and will specifically prepare students
for teaching in rural and northern areas. Extensive practical experience
is also a strong characteristic of the new program.
In January, the BC College of Teachers approved the proposed program
for three years, but implementation has been dependent on Government
funding. The new funding is providing the University with the opportunity
to hire the first faculty and staff needed to begin offering the program
this year.
"Government is committed to providing more access for students
at facilities that are closer to home," says Advanced Education
Minister Shirley Bond. "This program is important for northern
and rural communities as it will provide a community-based focus to
address critical skill shortages in the region."
"We're delighted with the Government's support of the BEd, a program
that has been of keen interest to hundreds of prospective students and
actively supported by northern school districts," says UNBC President
Charles Jago. "My thanks and congratulations go to Paul
Madak, the Chair of Education at UNBC, who has worked with school
districts and teachers to develop a program tailored to reflect the
realities of teaching in small, rural, and First Nations communities."
Students can get more information about the program and the application
process from www.unbc.ca/education
within a week.