Recruitment Into Initial Teacher Education and Training: A Caribbean Perspective

The need to recruit teachers into Initial Teacher Education and Training (ITET) is a worldwide occurrence. However, for the Caribbean region, the challenge is made worse when looked at in light of the fact that trained Caribbean teachers are being recruited to serve in other countries and regions.

Mike Baker, the British Broadcasting Cooperation’s (BBC) education correspondent in his 2002 article entitled United Kingdom ‘poaching’ Jamaican teachers, pointed out that between 2001 and 2002 six hundred teachers (600) left the island to work abroad, mostly in the United States and the United Kingdom. During that same period, the United Kingdom government issued six thousand (6,000) work permits to teachers from outside the European Community.

The global demands for teachers including those from the Caribbean offer the region both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge in that new teachers need to be attracted, recruited, educated and trained and an opportunity, in that, trained teachers who seek economic independence can achieve it by practising their craft in an economically buoyant community.

While there are many strategies for encouraging the recruitment of people into ITET, given the social, cultural, political and educational context of each Caribbean state, it is not easy to discern what will and will not work. Pulling on the results of a number of regional studies, here are some suggestions.

1. Undertake innovative and strategic approaches to policy development in the area of ITET. Policies are needed that would direct actions and guide innovations, thus boosting people’s trust in the process and product of ITET.

2. Formulate policies to address the nature and kinds of academic qualifications offered and the standards at which local teacher education and training institutions operate.

3. Develop policies on the process of recruitment into ITET and on the promotion of teaching and the identification of appropriate target populations for recruitment.

4. Offer competitive and internationally recognized bachelor’s programmes in education.

5. Develop a clearly articulated alternative paradigm for career structure and its underlying values in the region, coupled with efforts to improve the economic status of teachers. In countries where teaching is thought of as extremely important, teachers are relatively well compensated hence teaching is viewed as a relatively well-paying job, the supply of new teachers is high and there is a low-level of attrition.

6. Enable ITET programmes to be framed in a reflective model of teaching which encourages the development of skills and knowledge in content areas, professional studies, and practical teaching, grounded in the real world of the school and classroom.

Degree Training for an Education (Teaching) Career

The need for educational instructors is increasing as the population continues to grow. Students can obtain a degree in the field of education by enrolling in one of a number of degree schools and colleges. Degree training for an education (teaching) career in the field of education can prepare students to work in elementary schools, middle schools, high school, higher education programs, and much more. With an accredited degree in teaching students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a variety of careers. Available degrees in this field consist of a bachelor’s, masters and doctorates level degree. Students must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to qualify for entrance into an education training program.

Educational degree training programs are provided to help students prepare for the world of teaching. With an accredited school or college students will gain the skills to work with children of all ages as well as adults. Coursework will vary depending on the program of enrollment and the level of degree desired by each individual student. Most professional in this field are required to study subjects like:

English
Discipline
Science
Computers
History
Psychology of Learning
Art
…and more. Some schools and college may also offer training in philosophy of education, social studies, music, physical education, teaching methods, and other related course subjects.

Students who are looking for the opportunity to enter into a career training program for a degree in education can do so by entering a bachelor’s degree program. Most schools require that an associate’s degree be obtained prior to enrolling in an educational degree training program. With a bachelors degree in this field students can obtain the skills needed to work with a variety of ages teaching a number of subjects. Teachers with a bachelor’s degree have a number of responsibilities when providing an education to others. Accredited schools and colleges will train students to provide educational instruction to their class in a variety of ways. Students can obtain a masters or doctorates degree in education as well.

With an accredited masters or doctorates degree program students can prepare for a career providing an education to others. Education teaching programs at this level provide a more in depth program of study for students looking to specialize in a specific area of the field. With a masters or doctorates degree in education students can find employment specializing in areas like early childhood education, special education, physical education, reading, electives, and much more. Masters and doctorates degree are the highest level of degrees available in this field.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Special Education Teacher?

The advancement in education now brings about great changes in many aspects of human life. 30 years ago, special children were reduced to not having any formal education and only had to settle for the special guidance and care that their parents could offer. Now, our society provides special education to these children and now have trained professionals who are familiar with their condition and knows how to deal with them properly. It is really a great opportunity to help out and make sure that even these children get to achieve their maximum potential.

If you want to be a special education teacher, you must have the proper education and training to do so. You have to remember that the mental abilities and emotional capacity of these children are different from other children and as such, special training and education is necessary before you are allowed to teach or handle a class. This however is not about how to get a degree since it is easy to enroll in one. This is about having the personality to actually become a special education teacher. If you want to check if you have what it takes to be one, read up.

Patience
Probably the most important trait that you’ll need, patience will help you get through a lot of trying times. Again, you have to realize and accept the condition of these children so you cannot expect these children to perform as you would see from other children. They can throw tantrums. They will shy away. They might be too hyperactive. They even refuse to learn. As their teacher, you must have the patience to deal with all of this and make sure that you always welcome them. Anger or annoyance might just turn away these children and you will find yourself back at square one.

Creativity and Resourcefulness
As a special education teacher, you might be faced with difficulties when it comes to bringing out their maximum potential. As such, you have to be creative and resourceful in your approach to education. You cannot just settle for the usual methods of teaching. You have to find different fun and intriguing ways to teach your students. It might be in the way of a game or a story. Just make sure that you make it engaging and interactive for students.

Being a special education teacher is not easy. This is probably why it also pays handsomely. In the end, if you want to be a great special education teacher, you must have the number one requirement. You must love teaching and children.

Pursuing a Career and Education in Arts and Design

Once you have decided to obtain a career in arts and design you will need to choose the educational program that is right for you. You have the opportunity to attend an accredited school, college, or degree program in order to receive the skills that you need. There are numerous career options in this exciting field that will allow you to enter into the workforce and be successful. You can select from a variety of training levels to help you receive the higher education you desire. By researching programs you will learn more about pursuing a career and education in arts and design.There are several specialized areas for you to choose from when looking to enter into the field. This will allow you to receive the educational training that you need to pursue the career of your dreams. You have the option to receive training in:Fashion Design
Feng Shui
Interior DesignBy enrolling in any of these career areas you will be able to gain the knowledge that is necessary for you to seek employment. Training in different areas of the field will offer you the opportunity to specialize in the career you long for.Once you have decided on the specialized area of study that meets your individual needs and goals, you will be able to choose the level of education. Accredited schools and colleges offer training at various levels of education depending on the area of study and desired career. By enrolling in a higher education career training program you have the chance to obtain an accredited:Certificate
Associate Degree
Bachelor DegreeThe level of degree or certificate will help to decide the length of time needed for training. Certificates can last up to one year and associate and bachelor degrees will require two to four years of training. Once you have chosen the level of education that you wish to pursue you will be ready to enroll and complete all coursework and training.There are numerous accredited educational training programs that allow you to select the specialized area of study as well as level of training in order to prepare for the career you desire. After deciding these factors you can begin the training process, which will include various courses. You can learn computer aided design (CAD), math, fashion history, lighting, ergonomics, blueprint reading, and much more. Training in these areas will help you to receive the knowledge and skills that are necessary to enter into a successful career. Once you have obtained the education you desire you will be able to work in architecture, design, wholesale, fashion, and much more. Begin by finding an accredited program and enrolling today.Accredited arts and design schools and colleges are available to offer you the career preparation that you need to become the professional you long to be. There are numerous agencies like the National Association of Schools of Art and Design ( http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/ ) that can fully accredited quality training programs that offer the best education. You can research programs and request more information to ensure that you choose the one that’s right for you. Start by finding a program and beginning the path to an exciting new career today.DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Medical Education in China

China has emerged as one of the leading countries of the world and it is said that an efficient education system is the base of a developed country. No doubt China has brought a massive change in its education system and has emerged as one of leading countries in education as well. Moreover it is becoming an educational hub for the international students as China is providing pretty splendid facilities to the foreign students to study in China.In the recent few years, students from different Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are rushing towards China, in order to get degrees in the medical courses like MBBS, BDS and B- Pharmacy from Chinese universities. The students have considered their degrees, not only up to the world’s finest standards but pretty budget friendly as well.Some of the top universities like Zhang Zhou University, Gannan Medical University and Dalian Medical University are considered as some of the most favourite medical institutes for the international students. Studying in China is not only benefiting the international students by the budget point of view but it is offering them a chance to enjoy the most incredible Chinese culture. The students get the chances to meeting people from diverse backgrounds therefore an ideal environment of learning have been created.Education is getting expensive by day and the students from the Asian countries are finding Chinese universities a much friendlier option to become a doctor as compared to the European or American institutes. Not only the MBBS program but Bachelor of Dentistry, Bachelor of Pharmacy and Nursing courses are also offered in China. On the other hand the Chinese Government’s Education Ministry has taken positive initiatives to make their teaching system of international standard. Their educational ministry has promoted their work in the media and opens the environment for positive criticism.Taking the educational policy of China as a role model we can also improve our educational system with the same approach of development in higher education sector. China has proved that it possesses the right guts to not only compete in the fields of business and economy but in educational sector as well. The current burgeoning economy of the People’s Republic of China is a pretty unyielding testimony of its improved education system. Chinese doctors are serving well in all around the globe and the medical institutes in China are warmly welcoming international students to become a part of the world’s most dramatic culture and effective education system.