Improve diploma

THE EDITOR: According to English writer and OBE awardee Jeanette Winterson, writers are here neither to conform nor to be comfortable. They are here, really, to shake things up.

More specifically, I refer to a rumour I recently heard with respect to a proposed policy change at the School of Education, UWI, St Augustine.

Unsubstantiated reports suggest the replacement of educational administration as an option in the post-diploma in education programme with the MEd leadership postgraduate degree.

To convert such a proposal to reality would be a terrible blow to our already struggling secondary schools – especially those in Tobago.

Very briefly submitted:

1. The Educational Administration Diploma was introduced to empower practising and aspiring principals, vice-principals, heads of department, and deans with tried and tested approaches to school management and leadership as well as to ensure that they graduate as reflective and research-oriented professionals who can address the educational imperatives of our unfolding society.

2. As I see it, in terms of effectiveness, value for money, time, and ensuring a reliable flow of leadership, the diploma is by far more suitable for our needs than the MEd.

3. Rather than replace the diploma, why not improve it to empower graduates and then use the MEd to produce stronger researchers to address the problems of an unfolding and turbulent educational system?

4. I have always argued that initiatives will be on target only when based on sound rationales and well thought-out philosophies or ideologies.

RAYMOND S HACKETT, Curepe

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