I wanted to reassure your readers after reading the story in yesterday’s paper regarding accredited/non-accredited qualifications (Education’s teaching qualifications not recognised overseas: Ministry, March 5, 2024).

All the Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor of Education (ECE, Primary, Inclusive Education, or Secondary) completed through USP are internationally recognised by the New Zealand Teachers Council. This means that students who complete their studies at USP are able to work, not only in the Cook Islands, but also in Aotearoa and beyond.

There is a myth that USP qualifications are not recognised on the world stage, and I wanted to reassure the community and refute this myth for your readers. I might add that USP’s initial and graduate teacher education courses are contextualised to the Cook Islands context and curriculum, and this ensures our students understand the Cook Islands Ministry of Educations expectations, alongside the needs of our māpū, and the schools into which they will teach, something that may be more difficult for an overseas provider. 

We look forward to our USP graduation later in the year, where we will surpass 1000 Cook Islanders who have graduated from our small campus.

Dr Debi Futter-Puati

Director

University of the South Pacific, Cook Islands Campus