Dear Editor, I am writing with interest in the government’s strategy for ensuring qualified educators are teaching our future generations.

Can the Minister or Secretary of Education provide clarification regarding the recent decision to put the advertised three-year Bachelor of Education degree (B.Ed) scholarship ‘on hold’.

What options are available for individuals when a Cook Islands based scholarship is revoked, despite their eagerness to enhance their skills and pursue proper teacher training?

The Cook Islands Ministry of Education website clearly states the qualifications required to teach in the Cook Islands being a university degree for secondary, primary and early childhood schools. But it appears these qualifications are lacking in the field of education, particularly as the majority of teachers, in many schools, currently lack any degree qualification at all.

Additionally, in response to students being told to leave Tereora College as they would likely not achieve NCEA, recently, my child witnessed their class size half as non-achieving classmates left.

Concerned Educationalist

(Name and address supplied)

Note – A right of reply email was sent to Education Minister Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa and Secretary of Education Owen Lewis on Wednesday, March 6.