The University of Waikato last month welcomed the first students to its Cook Islands-based teacher training programme, an initiative that is part of a Ministry of Education-led plan to provide essential support to the local education system by training more teachers and upskilling educators.
The official opening was attended by government officials and diplomatic corps members, pictured here with Professor Claire McLachlan (third from right) and the first cohort of students.
An initial intake of 15 aspiring teachers was welcomed at a ceremony to launch the Teacher Development Centre, a facility established by the Cook Islands Ministry of Education to address teacher shortages and improve education quality.
New teacher training programmes between the Cook Islands Ministry of Education and the University of Waikato will see a range of professional learning opportunities for teachers and school leaders in the Cook Islands.
University of Waikato Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Claire McLachlan says the University is motivated to play a part in addressing the Cook Islands’ education sector’s challenges.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer students in the Cook Islands the opportunity to study with the University of Waikato,” she says.
The programmes to provide a practical route to certification, with the training centre based at Tereora College, the national secondary school of the Cook Islands.
Students will do most of their study through Waikato’s online programme, supported by twice-yearly block courses delivered by Division of Education staff who will travel to the Cook Islands, and with local support coordinated through the Teacher Development Centre.
Students will spend regular time in schools completing practicum placements over the three years of the degree.
The University of Waikato has a long-standing reputation for initial teacher education via distance learning and a growing reputation for innovative, school-based approaches and targeted efforts to address teacher shortages.
It has initiatives underway at primary and secondary school levels in the Far North, Auckland and Rotorua, as well as a growing number of local and regional schools who are looking for ‘earn while you learn’ approaches to initial teacher education.
