THE induction workshop for block 4 course materials for the certificate in teaching programme (CTP) conducted by Solomon Islands National University (SINU) through its Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) mode for cohort 1 head teachers ended successfully over the weekend in Auki.
Speaking in the closing ceremony on behalf of the SINU Vice Chancellor and the administration, the head of mathematics department in the School of Education and Humanities Buka Misifea stated that such training is important to develop locals inorder to have high level of academic training.
Mr. Misifea also spoke on behalf of the Dean of School and the lecturers who have helped out in presenting the course in the workshop and the Director of the Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) Martin Oto and his staff who sees the importance of learning at home for the Teachers in Training (TITs).
From these people, we would like to thank the Malaita Education Authority for your support and also would like to thank the Master Teachers who have carried out the programme for some time and also the Head Teachers who have done a wonderful job during the week.
“Today (last week) marks a very important history in Malaita. We are here today to mark the culmination or the end result of a successful Certificate in Teaching Programme (CTP). The journey to reach this far did not take a day. We projected that this prgramme will only take a few years. Unfortunately the journey was prolonged and took more than as expected.”
Mr Misifea thanked the Malaita Education Authority (MEA) for their vision in making sure that all single child of Malaita is taught by a learned, trained and qualified teacher.
He said, “we hope as the provider of this programme that Malaitans will benefit from it as this is the final block.”
He congratulated all the head Teachers because they are the ones who will reap the result of this long journey.
MEA Chief Education Officer (CEO) Andy Siarani, on behalf of the authority thanked the DFL coordinator Maevalyn Pitanoe and the team for making the programme such a success.
“To organise such a workshop is a very tiring task. You left your families and sacrifice to come to Malaita a place where is challenging to organize such a workshop.”
The chief education officer challenged the head teachers; “You should be smiling as now you have reached the end successfully. This is an achievement.”
The CEO also assured the programme providers and supporters that he will remain a strong supporter to the programme.
He also thanked the Provincial Teacher Training Development Officer (PTTDO) for the authority Jackson Rahe for being supportive and instrumental in assisting the programme.
He thanked the participants saying; “You have the tool that should be fully utilized to its maximum and to remember the three pillars always encouraged by the United Nations and adopted by our education system and that is to uphold quality, accessibility and management.”
Luke Tenaka on behalf of the course participants thanked the lecturers and the DFL coordinator that although the workshop took only three days they have learnt a lot compared to other workshops.
“We are grateful for what we received and we hope what we learn will help our teachers during this final block.”
Mrs Pitanoe stated that she was very pleased that the training was successfully completed. “It was an easy ride throughout the week in comparison to other similar past workshops.”
She said other workshops held in the past were tough and challenging for a woman to organize. But she said those earlier hurdles gave her the confidence to do this round better.
She thanked the Malaita education office for their support.
The coordinator encouraged all the head teachers to make use of their skills and knowledge.
Ms Pitanoe also confirmed that the cohort 2 induction workshop is proposed for the 11th to 15th May 2015.
About 125 head teachers from the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions of Malaita turned up for the recent training.
And about 461 teachers will graduate at the end of this year after completing the training.
Mr Rahe calls on SINU and the DFL to consider organizing a graduation ceremony in Auki so that family members and friends can witness their achievements.
