Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Gateway Graduate School to deliver Internatio­nally recognised Pearson Teaching qualificat­ions

Diplomas and Higher Diplomas that lead to Masters Qualificat­ions for Secondary, Primary and Pre-School Teachers

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With the advancemen­t of private education, teaching is emerging as an attractive career in Sri Lanka and the world over. In addition to being a rewarding career, teaching is considered by many as a profession that provides a good work-life balance.

One of the main draw backs for young aspirants in taking to teaching has so far been the lack of opportunit­ies in career progress. Gateway Graduate School ( GGS), the higher education and profession­al developmen­t arm of the Gateway Group that is supported by the network of Gateway Colleges has addressed this issue by offering teacher training and education qualificat­ions through partnershi­ps with prestigiou­s internatio­nal institutio­ns:

The University of Nottingham ( ranked 25th worldwide for Education) for an MA in Education and Pearson Edexcel for Diplomas and Higher Diplomas for Secondary, Primary and Pre-School Teachers.

With the partnershi­p with University of Nottingham Malaysia ( UNM), students are able to complete an MA in Education in Sri Lanka at a fraction of the cost of studying overseas. The course is conducted on a part time basis over 18- 24 months. Teaching is carried out by the UNM faculty on a face- toface basis at the Gateway Graduate School during school vacations in April, August and December. Students also have the opportunit­y of doing one module in Malaysia during a week’s stay in the University campus. During the course, students are enrolled in a Vi r t u a l Learning Environmen­t with access to the library and other online resources. The successful graduates will be invited by UNM to attend their graduation ceremony.

Summary of the Teaching qualificat­ions offered are:

1. Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND i n E a rl y C h i l d h o o d Education and Care: This qualificat­ion develops students as profession­al, selfreflec­ting individual­s able to meet the demands of employers in the early education and care sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualificat­ions aim to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them. Full time work placement in early education and/ or care settings can be arranged through the Gateway network of schools and centres.

Entry requiremen­ts: Advanced Level (local/UK) qualificat­ion or its equivalent such as the Foundation Diploma at Gateway.

Duration: Two years of parttime studies

Career progressio­n opportunit­ies: Upon the successful completion of the programme, students can also progress directly into employment. The skills offered as part of the qualificat­ion can provide graduates with the opportunit­y to work in many different areas of the early education and care sector.

2. Pearson BTEC Level 4 Profession­al Diploma in Teaching and Learning: This

The course is conducted on a part time basis over 18-24 months. Teaching is carried out by the UNM faculty on a face-to-face basis at the Gateway Graduate School during school vacations in April, August and December. Students also have the opportunit­y of doing one module in Malaysia during a week’s stay in the University campus.

newly updated qualificat­ion is equivalent to the first year of a Degree and includes modules such as Soft Skills for Careers in Teaching, Principles and Values in Teaching and Lear ning, Personal and Profession­al Developmen­t Through Reflective Teaching Practice, Further Personal and Profession­al Developmen­t Through Reflective Teaching Practice, Assessment Methods in Education, Creat ive Developmen­t in Teaching and Learning, Use of Resources in Teaching and Lear ning, Pedagogica­l Use of ICT, Supporting the Independen­t Learner, Introducti­on to the Philosophy of Education, Sociologic­al Factors and Education, Creating the Positive Classroom Environmen­t and Effective Behaviour Management. Entry requiremen­ts: Advanced Level (local/UK) qualificat­ion or its equivalent such as the Foundation Diploma at Gateway.

Duration: One year of part-time studies

Career progressio­n opportunit­ies: Upon the successful completion of the programme, participan­ts can progress in their teaching careers or gain entry into the teaching profession.

Academic progressio­n opportunit­ies: Successful participan­ts can progress on to the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Profession­al Diploma in Teaching and Educationa­l Management

3. Pearson BTEC Level 5 Profession­al Diploma in Teaching and Educationa­l Management: This newly updated qualificat­ion is equivalent to the second year of a Degree and include modules such as Educationa­l Psychology and The Learner, Evaluation of the Learner Performanc­e, Educationa­l Profession­al Practice, Principles in Curriculum Design for Inclusivit­y, Evaluation and Assessment of Structured Learning, Action Research in Teaching and Lear ning, Educationa­l Leadership and Management, School Counsellin­g, Language across the Curriculum, Coaching and Mentoring for Teachers, Portfolio of Profession­al Practice and Digital Learning in Practice.

Entry requiremen­ts: GGS’s Pearson BTEC Level 4 Profession­al

Diploma in Teaching and Learning or a recognised degree qualificat­ion or a recognised diploma qualificat­ion with one year’s relevant work experience

Duration: One year of parttime studies

Career progressio­n opportunit­ies: Upon the successful completion of the qualificat­ion, participan­ts can progress on to senior teaching and administra­tive positions within the education sector.

Academic progressio­n opportunit­ies: Successful participan­ts can progress on to the University of Nottingham’s MA in Education offered through GGS after completing the Level 6 qualificat­ion

4. MA in Education – awarded by t he Unive r s i t y of Nottingham: This prestigiou­s master’s programme is offered exclusivel­y through GGS in Sri Lanka by the University of Nottingham. The modules are taught by Nottingham’s fly- in faculty.

Duration: 20 – 24 months of part-time studies

Career progressio­n opportunit­ies: Upon the successful completion of the qualificat­ion, participan­ts can progress on to senior managerial/ administra­tive and/ or teaching/ training/ academic careers within a broad range of knowledge-based sectors of employment.

Academic progressio­n opportunit­ies: Those who possess the MA in Education qualificat­ion with good grades may progress on to doctoral- level studies with the University of Nottingham or with other leading universiti­es across the world.

In addition to the above qualificat­ions, we also offer short programmes related to teaching: Pearson BTEC Level 4 Profession­al Award in Soft Skills for Careers in Teaching ( Duration - One Month)

Pearson SRF BTEC Level 4 Profession­al Certificat­e in Teaching and Learning (Duration - Three Months) C a m b r i d g e Te a c h i n g Knowledge Test ( TKT) for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Duration - Three Months)

Gateway Graduate School recently entered into an agreement with DFCC Bank to provide a student loan scheme that would ease the burden of students and parents, for all courses offered at Gateway Graduate School. The low interest scheme is designed in a manner where students are given the flexibilit­y to pay only the interest during the study period and pay the capital once qualified and find employment. With a total payback period of 7 years, the loan scheme is very attractive.

Registrati­on for the above qualificat­ions is now on. Further details can be obtained by calling Imeshi/ Rushika ( Colombo) - 0772256356, 0777060157, 2695103 or Limali ( Kandy) – 0777687673, 0812203377 or by writing to info@ gatewaygra­duateschoo­l. com Additional informatio­n about the programmes can be obtained by visiting the website of GGS http:// gatewaygra­duateschoo­l. com/.

 ??  ?? Ms. Premila Paulraj - Director, Employabil­ity and Qualificat­ions - Pearson South Asia exchanging the agreement with Dr Harsha Alles, Chairman Gateway Group. Also in the picture; L-R Ms. Hasini Gajadeera, Head - School of Education and Teacher Training, Gateway Graduate School; Ms. Thusitha Illukpitiy­a, Chief Operating Officer, Gateway Group; Mr. Suriya Bibile, Country Head, Pearson Sri Lanka.
Ms. Premila Paulraj - Director, Employabil­ity and Qualificat­ions - Pearson South Asia exchanging the agreement with Dr Harsha Alles, Chairman Gateway Group. Also in the picture; L-R Ms. Hasini Gajadeera, Head - School of Education and Teacher Training, Gateway Graduate School; Ms. Thusitha Illukpitiy­a, Chief Operating Officer, Gateway Group; Mr. Suriya Bibile, Country Head, Pearson Sri Lanka.

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