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Primary teaching programme to end at Ruawharo

Friday 21 May 2010, 8:47AM

By Massey University

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NAPIER

The College of Education is to discontinue delivery of the primary teaching programme from the Ruawharo site in Napier from next year.

Staff members involved in the programme were advised of the decision today, following a review and consultation process that has been undertaken over the past eight months. A review of staffing levels will now take place.

The 59 students enrolled in the four-year degree will now be advised of their options to complete the course, either at the University's Manawatu campus or by distance education.

Ruawharo, based at the Eastern Institute of Technology campus, will continue to be the base for the College of Education staff involved in delivering profession development courses for school and early childhood teachers in Hawke's Bay, under contract to the Ministry of Education.

The head of the college, Professor James Chapman, said delivering the programme from Hawke's Bay was not financially viable and there was no prospect of making it so in the current tertiary funding environment.

"All tertiary institutions have had to examine their costs, particularly in light of the capped EFTS [equivalent full-time student] funding environment," Professor Chapman said. "Massey is in the same position as other universities. The College of Education is unable to continue servicing the delivery of a teacher education programme with a relatively small number of students on site in Hawke's Bay."

"It is worth noting that when Ruawharo was established in the 1990s, it was never intended to last for a very long time, but was intended to meet specific circumstances associated with a teacher shortage at the time.

"Studying on campus in Palmerston North will enable students to obtain full access to a large number of research active academic staff as well as participate in a strong student community with excellent amenities."

The college has more than 1200 students in teaching programmes, just under half in primary teaching programmes including degrees and graduate diplomas.