Released by Governent of Ontario

Eves government establishes faculty of education at Trent University

November 13, 2002

PETERBOROUGH - To meet the expected demand for new teachers in the province, the Ontario government will establish a School of Education and Professional Learning at Trent University, Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

"Trent University has a long history of involvement in education, including many years of work with Queen's University in Kingston," said Cunningham. "The new school will provide further opportunity and choice in university programs to the Peterborough area, as well as assist in ensuring a continuous supply of well-qualified teachers for Ontario's schools."

Starting in the fall of 2003, the School of Education and Professional Learning will offer a one-year Bachelor of Education program for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree. The new school will have 115 spaces for full-time students and 120 spaces for part-timers.

"Our new Bachelor of Education program is also offered on a part-time basis, which is designed to meet the needs of individuals who want to become teachers but may have family responsibilities or are pursuing alternate careers," said Bonnie Patterson, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.

The initial accreditation process for the School of Education and Professional Learning through the Ontario College of Teachers, the regulatory body that accredits professional teacher education programs, is already underway. Only graduates of an accredited program are eligible to be members of the college and can teach in publicy-funded schools in Ontario.

To meet the expected demand for new teachers, the Ontario government has raised the number of spaces in the existing faculties of education from 5,000 in 1998-99 to 6,500 in 2001-02. Ten universities currently offer teacher education programs in the province.

"More high school students than ever before are choosing university as the next step in their education," added Cunningham. "The School of Education and Professional Learning at Trent is part of our plan to ensure that every student has access to the fullest range of high quality postsecondary education they need to reach their full potential."