THE DIVISION OF TEACHER EDUCATION
The Division of Teacher Education at the CFBC is charged with the mandate of delivering the UWI ADE Teacher Training programme which is designed to cultivate teachers who will display the knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional conduct of the IDEAL CARIBBEAN TEACHER.
Consequently the Division’s main goal is to produce top quality teachers who can demonstrate high levels of academic and professional competence while at the same time maintaining the core values and standards which guide the noble profession of teaching. This level of training will not only afford our teachers certification to practice locally but also in the regional arena.
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The Division of Teacher Education has the responsibility of ensuring that the teachers are certified to practice and therefore the Associate Degree Programme focuses on four areas of competence:
Academic knowledge or content – personal and professional: students must leave the institution equipped with the knowledge of how to disseminate content / information specific to a particular urriculum. Every effort MUST be made to engage in professional development to improve the repertoire of skills / knowledge that one possesses OR mastery of the discipline that is being MAJORED.
Skill development: acquiring knowledge base and mastery of skills will ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the classroom: Literacy, communication, research, problem solving, critical thinking, motivational techniques, classroom management, conflict & crisis management, interpersonal relationships, pedagogy, leadership, questioning techniques are essential to the profession.
Pedagogical expertise: or methodology knowledge of students’ social, cultural background as well as their psychological development and essentially putting theory into practice will enable teachers to present content more effectively. Personal qualities: appreciation of the aesthetics, enthusiasm, empathy, innovative, commitment, value driven, and high self-esteem are just some of the qualities that a teacher should possess to ensure both public and personal confidence.
The ADE programme, which is heavily grounded in theory and pedagogical practice, consists of twenty-two courses for 66 credits hours and is delivered over four semesters and a summer session. These are divided into 6 credits in General Education, 9 credits in Education Foundations, 42 credits in Curriculum and Instruction and 9 credits which are electives. The fourth semester consists of a Teaching Practicum of ten (10) consecutive weeks duration.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of five (5) Caribbean Examination Council Secondary Education Certificate at the General Proficiency Grades I, II or III; or the equivalent 5 subjects passes at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level.
» For Teachers Pursuing the Primary Programme: Subjects should include: English Language , Mathematics, / Social Studies or History or Geography / Integrated Science or Human & Social Biology or Agricultural Science and One (1) additional subjects.
» For Teachers Pursuing the Secondary Programme: The minimum of Five (5) CSEC subjects including English Language. In addition, specific entry requirements for specialization in the various subject areas will be: CAPE – 2 Units or an Associate Degree in specialist subject (Major) . At least the CSEC subject in the Minor. The requirement for taking Social Studies is two (2) CAPE units in Geography, History or Sociology.
» For Teachers Pursuing the TVET Programme: The minimum of Five (5) CSEC subjects including English Language, Mathematics and at least one subject related to the programme.
» Mature Candidates: (over the age of 30 years) seeking admission into the programme and who have at least five (5) years of teaching in one or more recognised schools may write to be admitted under mature entry guidelines.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for graduation, students are required to pass (a minimum of 50%) all three modules of all courses taken. A module grade of F will mean that the student will have to retake that module. In other words, students are required to pass all internal coursework in order to qualify for graduation.
NOTE WELL:
CFBC coursework marks—the module marks for all courses taken—are recorded on transcripts required for university entry.