KSU – B.Ed course leading to diminished career opportunities

KSU said it was is concerned by the lack of planning by the Education Directorate which concluded the quantification of teaching placements in September, when this quantification could have easily been concluded before.

The KSU’s education commission said in a statement that the lack of placements for teaching practices, which was limiting the number of places for the B.Ed course, had serious implications that had to be addressed.

“KSU feels there is more than meets the eye in the B.Ed. issue. The issue should be tackled by the Education Directorate by dealing with the root of the problem, rather than by just solving the problems in the short term.

“Adding the number of placements in Church and private schools will be a successful solution in the short term, but at the end of the day, the solution lies in providing alternative courses and study programmes which are aimed at creating skilled graduates for the niche industries of tomorrow.”

KSU said the lack of teaching placements and the inconsistency between the decreasing demand for teachers and the ever increasing supply of B.Ed. students – which has reached record numbers – was a clear sign of the lack of planning.

“KSU would obviously prefer a situation where all prospective students could enter their preferred course; however the real demographic and economic circumstances require that students enrol in courses which would lead them to higher employment chances once graduated.”

But the council said it would be misleading to “defend” prospective B.Ed students who were enterting a course leading to “ever-decreasing job opportunities and career prospects.”

“The problem is further worsened by the fact that the already diminished teaching opportunities and jobs available to B.Ed. students are being taken up by students from other courses, limiting further their chances for these teaching posts.”