TEACHERS’ TEST USP points to pitfalls in teachers’ grounding
Professor Rajesh Chandra tells of efforts to help lift standards
The University of the South Pacific (USP) says the test conducted by the Ministry of Education for English proficiency of teachers has indicated the need for institutions to place more emphasis on professional development.
In response to questions sent by the Fiji
Sun, USP Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra said professional development was important for the provision of quality education.
Mr Chandra said the university had taken a pro-active stand by conducting studentteacher interviews for first year students in the second semester.
This was necessary to gauge their capability to continue with their teacher training programme, he said.
“The interview panelists include representatives from Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), Ministry of Education officials, selected principals and head teachers and School of Education lecturers.
“As part of its broader commitment to professionally prepare teachers for all levels of education in its member countries, the university is engaged in the training of untrained teachers in regional countries as well as in Fiji,” Mr Chandra said.
He said as part of the teacher training programmes at the university, all first year students were mandated to pass the university wide course, UU114: English for Academic Purpose in order for them to graduate. “This is a mandatory course and all students are required to successfully complete this course to allow them to continue with their academic studies at the university, Mr Chandra said.
“Thus, no student who fails this course is allowed to advance to the next level until a pass is attained in the course. Even if students struggled and failed once, USP requires them to repeat and continue to do so until they pass the course.”
The university highlighted that all teacher education programmes had courses to prepare teachers to improve their proficiency in English and also to teach effectively in english.
For example, ED170 (Language for Teachers), ED217 (Literacy Processes I) and ED327 (Literacy Process II) are three courses which all teachers needed to complete in order to ensure that they are well prepared in the teaching of English language and literature in primary schools.
Mr Chandra said in addition to that, ED350 (Curriculum Studies 2) is a course offered to prepare teachers who will be specialising in the teaching of English at secondary school level.
“This course trains prospective teachers in the strategies that they can use in the teaching of English and the appropriate tools which can be used to develop student’s interest and improve learning of the English language,” Mr Chandra said.
The university’s School of Education is responsible for preparing teachers on teaching pedagogies for different levels of education such as, for teaching english to early childhood, education and care, special and inclusive education in primary and secondary schools.