B.Ed course – Call for more long-term planning

In light of the confusing situation concerning admissions to the University’s Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) course, the University Students’ Council (KSU)’s Education Commission called for more extensive and far-sighted planning by the Faculty of Education and the University to account for ever-increasing numbers of students wishing to pursue tertiary education.

Due to uncertainty regarding the number of teaching placements available for student teachers, prospective B.Ed students were left in the dark as to whether their applications would be accepted or not.

The KSU said “the lack of teaching placements, and the inconsistency between the decreasing demand for teachers, and the ever-increasing supply of B.Ed-qualified teachers, which have reached record numbers, is a clear sign of the lack of planning which lies at the root of this problem”.

While it would prefer a situation where all students are admitted to their course of choice, KSU accepted that social and economic exigencies dictate otherwise.

It said “it would be misleading if (KSU) merely defends prospective students who seek to enter the B.Ed course, since this would be merely illuding students into entering a course which holds ever-decreasing job opportunities and career prospects”.

KSU advised students who have not yet received their confirmation letter to e-mail KSU’s Education Office on: education@ksu.org.mt.