Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
1 minute ago
EIT is set to deliver its Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in Tairāwhiti for the first-time next year, giving local students the opportunity to train as Early Childhood teachers without leaving the region.
The move follows two years of offering the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) in Tairāwhiti. It comes in response to strong demand from students and early childhood centres for a degree-level qualification that leads to teacher registration.
Zac Anderson, EIT’s Head of School: Education and Social Sciences, said the feedback from stakeholders made it clear that more was needed beyond the diploma.
“Educational outcomes and employment opportunities were limited for graduates who only completed Level 5. They couldn’t become registered teachers, which meant fewer pathways.”
The first year of the diploma is identical to the first year of the degree, allowing students to exit early if needed or continue on toward registration.
From next year, EIT will offer both the first and second years of the degree in Tairāwhiti, with current diploma students already indicating they want to continue.
“The vast majority of diploma students go on to complete the full degree. That’s what we’ve seen in Taradale, and we believe the same will happen in Tairāwhiti,” Zac said.
The Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) is delivered in a field-based model, with students spending two days a week on campus and three days in an early childhood centre.
“It’s the best of both worlds for the students and the centres. They’re working with people from their own community and supporting them to become qualified teachers.”
She said early childhood centres in the region had already expressed strong support.
“I visited six centres in Gisborne last week and every single one was excited. They could already think of staff or people in their community who would benefit. This kind of access hasn’t existed before.”
Zac said that until now, people in the region wanting to study early childhood education at degree level have mostly had to learn online through other institutions.
“That doesn’t work for everyone. Our degree is unique, practical and field-based.”
She said the degree includes local pūrākau and regional content to ensure it reflects the communities students are based in.
“We’re embedding place-based learning. That means connecting with local stories, iwi, and te ao Māori in a way that reflects the students’ surroundings and centre environment.”
The teaching team is growing to meet demand, with close collaboration between the Taradale and Tairāwhiti campuses to ensure a strong, cohesive experience for students.
“There’ll be block courses, combined noho marae, and online sessions that bring the cohorts together.”
Zac said interest from students has already been encouraging.
“Having a strong, supportive peer group makes a big difference. Students learn so much from each other, and the sector is crying out for qualified staff.”
She added that employment outcomes for EIT’s ECE graduates have been strong.
“We’ve had close to 100 percent employment for ECE graduates in Taradale. We expect no different in Tairāwhiti. It’s a great career pathway; young or old, anyone is welcome.”
Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, said: “The expansion of delivery of EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) into Tairāwhiti reflects our commitment to making high-quality teacher education more accessible to communities across the East Coast”.
“Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the foundations for lifelong learning, and we are committed to supporting the development of passionate, skilled professionals who will make a lasting impact in the lives of tamariki and whānau.”
