EE a 2 ae UPEI aims for higher education

Plans for a Masters degree in Education program begin next year

By Todd MacLean

As of September 1998, UPEI may be offering its first graduate program ever, aside from those given by the Atlan- tic Veterinary College.

After all requirements were met -- including suffi- cient student demand, adequate academic justification, and a well designed program -- the Senate recently passed the motion to begin offering a Master of Education program next year.

Areport released in 1996 showed that PEI had the low- est percentage of teachers with graduate degrees in the re- gion. This prompted the PEI Teacher’s Federation to con- ducta ees of on a ers on the subject ofa ible graduate degree, and the re- sults indicated a positive re- sponse.

“The lack of a Master of Education program on PEI isa barrier for many Island educa- tors,” said Vianne Timmons, Dean of the Faculty of Educa- tion. “Positions of added re- sponsibility are often closed to Island educators because they

do not have graduate degrees. The university has plans

graduate degree.”

UPEI’s program will be unique, focusing more upon upgrading leadership skills, rather than those of adminis- tration. This is based on the view that all educators are potential school leaders. But it isalso being hoped, by possible entrees into the program, that more practical experience will be used in the courses, as op- posed to theoretical learning.

“The B.Ed. program does not adequately prepare an undergrad for the many varied and complex situations that can arise in today’s classrooms,” said one graduate of the UPEI Faculty of Education. “If the Masters program offered more

hands-on experience with iven situations, and ifthe pro- essors were more aware of the existing reality of educa- tion problems in the public school system, then | would endorse a Masters degree.” UPEI will not be receiv- ing funding from the govern- ment for this project, and there- fore the costs must be covered exclusively by tuition fees. The costs per course are thus esti- mated to be set around $480- $500. Even though these rates are reasonable and compara- ble to other graduate programs in the region, some students think this may be a factor in attracting enrollment. “In comparison with the

undergraduate degrees, it ap- pears to be quite expensive in the monetary funds category,” said Hogan. “This may deter some unwealthy people away from taking the course.”

But aside from the ques- tion of obtaining folds tom the government, before pro- ceeding with formal planning, UPEI must first clear up a policy in the University Act, which currently restricts UPEI from granting graduate de-

(with the exception of the AVC). This amendment must be made in the spring sitting of the legislature at lat- est for the program to start next September.

UPEI must also await

authorization from the Mari-

time Provinces Higher Educa- tion Commission, the body that approves the academic merit

of proposed programs, before it can go ahead with adminis- tering. But after all formal re- uests are granted, UPE! will be well on its way to finally offering its first non- AVC graduate degree pro-

“Offering a Master’s degree toeducators represents a milestone in the history of education on PEI,” concluded Dr. Timmons. “It is essential to ensuring that our children receive the best possible edu- cation.”

Teacher begins fast to stop bill 160

By Sarah Schmidt TORONTO (CUP) An On- tario religion teacher has be- See eree inc overn- citiniedian bill which he

characterizes as draconian and

to enroll 16 to 25 graduate unjust.

students in the two year pro- gram. To be admitted, teach- ers must have a Bachelor of Education degree with at least a 70 percent average, two years of “successful” profes- sional experience, and a valid

“I think it is an excellent idea,” said J.P. Hogan, a cur- rent education student at UPEL. “It will be most benefi- cial for those who want to further their education in this field who have prior commit- ments on PEI, and who can’t afford to go off Island for their

Findin

Chamch, congregation known

acon

for its social justice work lo- cated just west of the Univer- sity of Toronto, Gary Connolly’s fast offic ey be- gan at an even igious service Nov. 3.

“It’s not I, it’s we,” the veteran religion teacher at in acity just out- side Metro a henge) the church full of

sanctuary in aul’s United

“Weareheretoattempt sion.

ee aceeteevers , to lenge not our government policy markers

around Bill 160, but to look at the power of the bottom line. “We need to break the Se em oan trampled under- proce torlemnde hy aoe ial s islation is passed. added that the edu- cation restructuring bill is just one in a series of moves against the disen- franchised at the expense of profit in Mike Harris” Ontario. After the congregation voted unanimously to open its doors to the fasting teacher earlier in the day, the church’s minister Pare unequivocal support at the service. butit also ee it's a problem,” Joan W said. And we seek a di vi-

Jeet oe mame 125 pounds, will remain at the

church for the duration of the

fast.

Brenda Holtkamp, the chaplain at Connolly s school, says she came out to show her support for her colleague. She says the act of fasting, which enjoys arich tradition in many faiths, is about bringing to fore injustices in order to rightthem.

Connolly began his fast just days after fellow religion

teacher Sullivan ended his five-day sit-in in the office of the education minister.

Sullivan, along with three col- leagues from the Toronto Board of Education, spent a weekend camped out in Dave

Johnson’s 0 ’

Sullivan says he is fully supportive of Connolly’s faith-

*Fastg ingtomecalls tomecalls upon each of us to do what is right. For this, I am ly ive,” the 36- vet-

eran teacher at St. ict

Catholic school in Cam- bridge, said.

“Fasting as a way to bring justice may be a last mpoaree. sone ers <—~ tried everything else,” Sullivansaid.

“The 82 Tories have = look within themselves, at

deepest consequence,” he added, alluding to an im- portant lesson of Ghandi’s — ifhe looked in the eyes of the poor and it hurt them, he

Bill 160 could;

i could pass as early as _ Thursday. Connolly’s fast continues

Daily services are being held at the church for

his supporters.