Teachers’ colleges seen as ‘agency for change’

Press, 16 September 1986, Page 18

Teachers’ colleges seen as ‘agency for change’

Teachers’ colleges will be a major agency for change in education, says the Education Department’s director of teacher education, Mr Peter Duncan.

Mr Duncan was speaking at a Christchurch Teachers’ College Council meeting.

Mr Duncan said the curriculum review and the review of curriculum, assessment and qualifications in Forms 5 to 7 foreshadowed major changes in education. “The community is going to have to be consulted antf involved,”, he said. Teachers’ colleges would be seen as a major supplier of guidance and help, he said.

The council was discussing what aims and objects the college should have. The principal, Dr Colin Knight, said the college was facing a period of contraction and limited resources.

“As a result, it is important to identify what the purpose of our institution is,” he said.

College staff spent a day last month discussing what priority should be given to teacher training, in-service training for qualified teachers, and continuing education for the wider community. Council members were

asked for their opinion yesterday. Professor Wally Clark said colleges should be innovative, and actively work for change. “We want to encourage people here to do something different and be prepared to take the risk of being wrong/’ he said. While some mistakes might be made, exciting changes would also occur.

Mrs Margaret Murray said that when the college had been established, community use of facilities had beeri a priority. This had never been emphasised because the needs of teachers and trainees were more important However, the community did make some use of

the facilities, and this was to be encouraged.

Mr Bruce Jamieson said the college should consider playing a role in the professional development of people other than teachers.

Educating all those involved in educating others was the main role of the college, Dr Knight said, “That includes, first of all, parents — who are the most important educators in society.”

Dr Knight and colleges had a responsibility to be innovative, and ensure that recommended changes in education took place.

“We have tended to train people to go out into the status quo,” he said.