Arthur Little
17th April 2009, 14:16
My wife Myrna graduated BSc in Agricultural Education from the University of Southeastern Philippines back in April 1986. She subsequently taught her subject at a Government High School for twenty-two years - during which time she led her scholars to the highest level of achievement in the annual National S.T.E.P. [Student Entrepreneurs Of The Philippines] Competitions, winning the coveted award on no fewer than three occasions.
On that basis, one would've imagined she would have no difficulty in obtaining a similar post on coming to the UK. Not so!! :NoNo: As far as the General Teaching Council For Scotland is concerned, her degree would be regarded here as equivalent in standard to HNC/HND only, and she would most likely be required to attend a Scottish university to update her present level of qualification, followed by a further year of study at Teacher-Training College. Now, allowing for cross-cultural differences, I can appreciate the relevance of the re-training aspect but, to my way of thinking [admittedly I'm not a graduate] a degree is a DEGREE - :rolleyes: wherever it's attained - and, without "demeaning" the excellence of our Higher National Awards Scheme, it's mainly regarded here as a stepping-stone to a degree course and is generally studied for at a Further Education Institute, as opposed to University.
So what IS it about this [once] "Great" Britain that confers on our 'political/intellectual' hierarchy, the "Divine Right" to believe that its educational system is superior to that of other (materially poorer) countries ... ?
I've been told that my good lady is free to apply for assessment with a view to registration with the GTC, BUT, in order to do so she will need to enclose a [non-refundable] remittance fee of £55. Not anything like as hefty as the amount we'd to stump up for the Settlement Visa, mark you, but even so ... ! :doh
On that basis, one would've imagined she would have no difficulty in obtaining a similar post on coming to the UK. Not so!! :NoNo: As far as the General Teaching Council For Scotland is concerned, her degree would be regarded here as equivalent in standard to HNC/HND only, and she would most likely be required to attend a Scottish university to update her present level of qualification, followed by a further year of study at Teacher-Training College. Now, allowing for cross-cultural differences, I can appreciate the relevance of the re-training aspect but, to my way of thinking [admittedly I'm not a graduate] a degree is a DEGREE - :rolleyes: wherever it's attained - and, without "demeaning" the excellence of our Higher National Awards Scheme, it's mainly regarded here as a stepping-stone to a degree course and is generally studied for at a Further Education Institute, as opposed to University.
So what IS it about this [once] "Great" Britain that confers on our 'political/intellectual' hierarchy, the "Divine Right" to believe that its educational system is superior to that of other (materially poorer) countries ... ?
I've been told that my good lady is free to apply for assessment with a view to registration with the GTC, BUT, in order to do so she will need to enclose a [non-refundable] remittance fee of £55. Not anything like as hefty as the amount we'd to stump up for the Settlement Visa, mark you, but even so ... ! :doh