06/08/2004
NI PGCE students get support boost from DEL
The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has announced it is to work with authorities in England to ensure local students, wishing to study Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses at the Open University, are not disadvantaged.
Education Minister Barry Gardiner said that it had been brought to his attention that Northern Ireland applicants to the Open University’s PGCE course have been advised that, in order to take up their places, they will be required to pay full fees.
This situation has arisen due to a change in arrangements relating to the funding of courses by the Teacher Training Agency.
The Minister added: “I have taken action to ensure that our existing students and recent applicants do not suffer and have contacted my counterpart, Mr David Milliband, MP, in the Department for Education and Skills, to address this issue as a matter of urgency.
"Our officials are working, in consultation with the Open University, to achieve a satisfactory solution for each of the individuals concerned. My priority is a speedy resolution of this matter, thereby, enabling the students to proceed with their proposed career path."
The current issue has arisen as current funding from the department relates only to teacher recruitment targets for England.
The Open University has provided initial teacher training since 1994 and has drawn down its grant from the TTA for students, including those from Northern Ireland.
(MB)
Education Minister Barry Gardiner said that it had been brought to his attention that Northern Ireland applicants to the Open University’s PGCE course have been advised that, in order to take up their places, they will be required to pay full fees.
This situation has arisen due to a change in arrangements relating to the funding of courses by the Teacher Training Agency.
The Minister added: “I have taken action to ensure that our existing students and recent applicants do not suffer and have contacted my counterpart, Mr David Milliband, MP, in the Department for Education and Skills, to address this issue as a matter of urgency.
"Our officials are working, in consultation with the Open University, to achieve a satisfactory solution for each of the individuals concerned. My priority is a speedy resolution of this matter, thereby, enabling the students to proceed with their proposed career path."
The current issue has arisen as current funding from the department relates only to teacher recruitment targets for England.
The Open University has provided initial teacher training since 1994 and has drawn down its grant from the TTA for students, including those from Northern Ireland.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.