The Institution Involved

• Bethlehem Moravian College
• College of Agricultural Science & Education (CASE)
• Church Teachers' College
• Edna Manley College of the Visual and Perfoming Arts
• The G.C Foster College of Physical Education & Sports
• The MICO University College
• St. Joseph's Teachers' College
• Sam Sharpe Teachers' College
• Shortwood Teachers' College

The operation of the Consortium will in no way interfere with the mission and affairs of the individual colleges. The Bachelor in Education degree programme began in January 2007.

RATIONALE


The country is demanding better trained teachers. Teachers that are confident and competent to meet the myriad demands of the learner, the complex nature of the learning environment and the dynamics of a changing society. As a result, The Task Force on Education Reform established by former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, recommended that teachers entering the profession should have a maximum of a Bachelor's degree. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 17, 000 (seveteen thousand) teachers in the service are without a first degree. In response to the recommendation, the ten colleges preparing teachers for the Educational sector are collaborating by offering a Bachelor in Education Degree. This will be done through CITE.

BACHELOR IN EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMME


The Bachelor in Education Degree (B. ED.) is a natural development from the easily articulates with the Diploma in Teaching. The philosophy espoused in the degree incorporates practices internationally regarded as exemplary.

The teaching approach will be both learner-centered and interactive. It is intended to focus on practice and application and to encourage reflective and analytic classroom practice leading to a strengthened knowledge base. Students will be helped to take a problem-solving approach to teaching and to use critical judgment in applying principles of teaching and learning. The programme is so structured that it will aid the development of effective citizenship and leadership potential in graduates

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES


The Degree is intended to, inter alia:- .

• Strengthen the teacher’s pedagogical competence and subject knowledge
• Develop a reflective practitioner and teacher – researcher who will be able to analyze and respond appropriately to the demands of the learner, the school and community
• Increase language fluency and the communication skills of the teacher
• Broaden the teachers’ general education, and
• Deepen the teacher’s commitment to his/her country and its learners

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

There are five components to the Degree

• Specialization : - courses in the student’s specialist area
• Field Experience : - practice related to the area of specialism
• Independent Study : - reflective/action research
• General Education : - courses which all students will pursue. This includes a foreign language as well as communication and technology
• Electives : - students will be required to select two from a menu of courses.

CREDITS

A minimum of 45 credits is required to complete the degree.
Persons holding a Diploma in Teaching would normally be accredited with 90 credit hours, however, this is subject to the evaluation of their transcript.

Full time students accepted for the 45 credit option can complete the programme in three semesters while others will take a longer time.

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