ABOUT 95 untrained teachers in the Western Province are undergoing Teachers in Training (TIT) course.
The training is being conducted in the Western provincial capital, Gizo.
It was conducted by the Ministry of Education Education with funding support from the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
According to the Dr. Patricia Rodie, a lecturer in education at the University of the South Pacific (USP) School of Education the training targeted the untrained teachers in Choiseul and Western provinces.
“The aim for the project is to upgrade them, give them qualification so that they can be involved in teaching service,” she said.
Dr Rodie said the first cohort of training started in July and August last year with two more trainings being conducted in November and December 2019.
She said the last two courses from last year’s training will be completed next week.
“After sitting their final exams they will be qualified to graduate with a certificate in primary education,” she explained.
Speaking to the paper yesterday in an interview, Dr. Ledua Waqailiti, a lecturer in education based at the USP’s Laucala Campus said offering such training is a way forward for Solomon Islands to upgrade teachers with skills and knowledge.
“It is a way forward for the provinces to promote and upgrade the teachers.
“Some of them have never undergone teachers training at all and this is a great opportunity for them,” she said.
She said most of these teachers have been teaching for more than 5 years up to 10 years but without qualifications.
She further added that throughout the training the teachers have learnt so fast and build their confidence that pulls them out of their comfort zone and able to mingle and speak up freely.
“This shows a good outcome from the teachers and they are eager for more learning.
“After completing their training they should be able to improve students’ learning experiences in the classroom and the quality of the teaching and learning in the classrooms should be evolve and that is the main target,’’ she added.
She said once they complete their final course and they will receive their certificates in primary and can proceed onto further training to acquiring degree or masters in primary teaching.
Dr Ledua added compared to Laucala campus it is a boost for Solomon Islands because the number of primary students undertaking bachelor in Laucala is decreasing so if this current 95 students pass their course, it actually means they can enroll in the bachelor primary program and again that will be a boost for the program.
Principal Education Officer of Western Province Education Authority Freedom Tozaka has acknowledged and thanked the two lecturers from USP, officials from the Ministry of Education and the DFAT for providing the resources and conducting the training professionally.
Western Province Government (WPG) Education Authority wants to see most of its teachers undergo further upgrade therefore this training is very important, he added.
Meanwhile, WPG is calling for the established of an USP Campus in the province.
WP Premier David Gina said this is to involve more youths and dropouts to have the opportunity to further their education.
By ULUTAH GINA
In Gizo
