Charles Sturt University (CSU) has unveiled a new teacher education program designed to give graduates an edge by preparing them for work in both early childhood and primary teaching, or primary and secondary teaching.

 

Associate Dean, Teacher Education, Professor Jo-Anne Reid, said CSU teaching graduates would gain a better understanding of the learning continuum and have more employment options under the new model.

 

“The primary teaching sector in NSW and Victoria is currently very competitive, which can make it challenging for graduates to find work in their geographical area of choice,” Professor Reid said.

 

“Meanwhile, secondary teachers, particularly in science and maths, are in short supply so teaching graduates can sometimes find themselves teaching at a level or in an area outside their preference and that can have quite a negative impact on teaching outcomes.”

 

The new course profile will address these challenges by providing graduates with a dual qualification in either early childhood and primary teaching, or primary and secondary teaching.

 

“This will improve the employability of graduates within their own communities, across the region, nationally and internationally, and help to meet workforce needs in the teaching profession,” Professor Reid said.

 

“This structure also gives teacher education students the opportunity to experience different areas of teaching they may not have previously considered.

 

“These changes reflect the needs of the industry, but they will also provide graduates with a better understanding of the total education continuum and more flexible pathways into employment.

 

“There are also benefits for our local communities. Not only will they have access to prospective teachers qualified to teach across two sectors, the expansion of these two degrees to more Charles Sturt University campuses will allow students to live, study and ultimately work closer to home.”

 

Under the changes, the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) already offered at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Dubbo, will also be offered at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 2014. The Bachelor of Education (K-12), currently offered at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, will now also be offered at CSU in Bathurst and Wagga Wagga. The existing Bachelor of Education (Primary) will be suspended.