Of little value : BEd degree holders demand elevated status for programme
Say there is not much worth of their degree despite it being rigorous course
PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR FACEBOOK
PESHAWAR:
The elementary and secondary education department has failed to devise service rules for those who have recently graduated from the Bachelors in Education Academic (BEd) programme at University of Peshawar’s Institute of Education Research (IER).
The programme was conducted with the help of USAID.
The graduates have urged the government to form service rules for this degree and declare the four-year programme equivalent to a Master’s degree.
With the financial support of USAID and the consultation of the Higher Education Commission, the varsity initiated the programme to produce quality teachers and enhance education standards at schools.
Around 150 students completed their degrees and hundreds more enrolled for the programme. However, education authorities failed to devise service rules for these graduates. Many in the job market considered it a one-year degree, but students feel the course is a lot more complex.
Bashir Ahmad, a graduate from the IER department, told The Express Tribune around 150 students completed their degrees and now the government does not even consider the programme equal to a master’s degree.
He said the programme started after mutual consultation with the Higher Education Commission, K-P Elementary and Secondary Education department and USAID.
Riaz Jan, another student, said the relevant authorities were not willing to amend the rules or make new ones. He questioned the motives to start offering the degree in the first place.
He alleged the government started the programme just to collect funds from USAID and seemed least bothered about the future of hundreds of students enrolled for the degree.
“Four precious years and money have wasted and now there are no jobs or service rules for the graduates. UoP IER Director Dr Shafqat Parveen said the degree had no market value unless its status was elevated.
K-P Additional Education Director Sahibzada Hamid Mehmood said the programme was initiated in 2010 and it is the responsibility of the university to consult the law department to amend service rules and recognise the degree for employment.
He said the education department must follow the laws enacted by the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2016.
The elementary and secondary education department has failed to devise service rules for those who have recently graduated from the Bachelors in Education Academic (BEd) programme at University of Peshawar’s Institute of Education Research (IER).
The programme was conducted with the help of USAID.
The graduates have urged the government to form service rules for this degree and declare the four-year programme equivalent to a Master’s degree.
With the financial support of USAID and the consultation of the Higher Education Commission, the varsity initiated the programme to produce quality teachers and enhance education standards at schools.
Around 150 students completed their degrees and hundreds more enrolled for the programme. However, education authorities failed to devise service rules for these graduates. Many in the job market considered it a one-year degree, but students feel the course is a lot more complex.
Bashir Ahmad, a graduate from the IER department, told The Express Tribune around 150 students completed their degrees and now the government does not even consider the programme equal to a master’s degree.
He said the programme started after mutual consultation with the Higher Education Commission, K-P Elementary and Secondary Education department and USAID.
Riaz Jan, another student, said the relevant authorities were not willing to amend the rules or make new ones. He questioned the motives to start offering the degree in the first place.
He alleged the government started the programme just to collect funds from USAID and seemed least bothered about the future of hundreds of students enrolled for the degree.
“Four precious years and money have wasted and now there are no jobs or service rules for the graduates. UoP IER Director Dr Shafqat Parveen said the degree had no market value unless its status was elevated.
K-P Additional Education Director Sahibzada Hamid Mehmood said the programme was initiated in 2010 and it is the responsibility of the university to consult the law department to amend service rules and recognise the degree for employment.
He said the education department must follow the laws enacted by the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2016.