A PIONEERING fast-track teaching course to attract science and technology graduates has been attacked as a “bridge too far”.
Teaching unions said the one year postgraduate course at Dundee University could lead to a “dilution of standards” and was likely to fuel drop-out rates.
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The warning came after the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), which regulates the profession, announced that the university’s 12-month course had been officially accredited.
Postgraduate courses usually take two years to complete with one year spent studying followed by a probationary year gaining classroom experience.
Ellen Doherty, director of education for the GTCS, said the new model had been designed to maximise students’ learning and teaching experience over a one-year period.
She said: “We have carefully considered that the correct balance of theoretical understanding and practical application is in place, whilst also ensuring that the programme enables students to develop the competence and confidence required to enter the classroom.”
However, Andrea Bradley, assistant secretary for education for the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS), said the union was “strongly opposed” to any approach which placed “breakneck pace” above quality.
She said: “The current postgraduate and the probationary years demand much from students within relatively short time-spans and compressing the learning for both into one year is likely to be a bridge too far and may demoralise rather than inspire the next generation of teachers.
“Fast-track models of initial teacher education also pose a risk to teacher retention rates in even the short to medium term and are likely to place significant additional workload demands on teachers in schools who will be expected to support students.”
Mrs Bradley said the EIS was particularly concerned about a “dilution of standards” at a time when schools have been asked to close the poverty-related attainment gap between rich and poor.
She added: “International evidence clearly shows the strong relationship between high quality initial teacher education and strong equitable outcomes for learners.
“Fast-tracking of teachers into the classroom should be the last thing in the minds of those who care about high quality education in Scotland.”
The new programme will be delivered over a 52-week period from January 2018 to January 2019.
Equivalent existing models require completion of a 36-week programme of study followed by a one-year induction programme.
Qualifying graduates will therefore be ready to teach six months earlier than through existing equivalent routes.
The university developed the course in response to a call from the Scottish Government for universities to devise new routes into teaching to address recruitment challenges, particularly in Stem subjects.
Dundee said students going through the fast-track option would have enhanced opportunities to be mentored.
More than 11 alternative routes into teaching are being adopted by six universities in Scotland with backing of more than £1 million from the Scottish Government.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Last year we announced £1m to identify and develop new ways for people to come into teaching including through the Dundee University programme. We are pleased it has now achieved accreditation through the GTCS.
“It is essential that all teacher education programmes are of the highest quality and we are clear that all new routes into teaching will require both the involvement of a university to maintain academic rigour and GTCS accreditation.”
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