The Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University will introduce a new course for Indigenous students next year.<\/p>\n
The Bachelor of Education Regional and Remote \u2013 Primary (BERR) provides a culturally appropriate pathway for Indigenous students who wish to teach in the primary education sector.<\/p>\n
The four-year degree, with a focus on regional and remote teaching and learning, provides quality teacher training in curriculum planning and professional teaching practice.<\/p>\n
Successful completion of the degree allows graduates to apply to the Western Australian College of Teaching for registration as a teacher, a prerequisite for employment in any school.<\/p>\n
The Centre for Aboriginal Studies held an enrolment and assessment workshop for prospective students on Wednesday 1 December and Thursday 2 December.<\/p>\n
Peter Ridley, the Team Leader for the course said prospective students would be coming from all over the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be students coming from Wyndham to Albany. We also have one student from Queensland and one from the Northern Territory,\u201d Mr Ridley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the workshop the students will be tested and interviewed as part of the enrolment program.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BERR program is a further development from the Bachelor of Education Conversion Course (BECC).<\/p>\n
The BECC began in 2002, with around 70 new Indigenous teachers graduating in the eight years the course ran.<\/p>\n
Mr Ridley said the BERR is also looking to be just as successful.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlready at this stage, we have 45 potential students and are aiming to fill our quota of 60,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The BERR course commences in February 2011.<\/p>\n
Contacts:
\nBonnie Ripper, Public Relations, Curtin University
\nTel: 08 9266 4364, Mobile: 0401 103 373, Email: b.ripper@curtin.edu.au<\/a>
\nWeb: http:\/\/curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n