Massey cuts teacher course numbers

Aspiring teachers are the latest victims of university cutbacks as Massey restricts entry for 2011.

Massey University's College of Education announced yesterday that new students would vie for 200 fewer places, with only the highest-calibre applicants guaranteed acceptance. The announcement came after a Government clamp down on funding contributed to the tightened entry criteria, which affects all of the university's teaching programmes. The total first-year intake for next year will be 370 across New Zealand, down from 575 this year. Current students will not be affected by the cutbacks.

Massey director of teacher education Sally Hansen said that while government funding had contributed to limited spaces, there was also a greater push for quality in the College of Education.

"Not only are we operating in a capped environment, but we are placing an emphasis on preparing quality graduates for a critical and complex profession," she said.

Dr Hansen said the strongest applicants would be given priority in the new environment.

"We have to ensure, within our resources, that our students are capable and well supported to complete their studies, and excel in their profession," she said.

Applicants would be assessed against criteria including their academic records, and would be interviewed as part of selection.

Dr Hansen said many could miss out as their academic history, records and suitability for teaching were up for close scrutiny.

"Historically in some programmes, only half of all applicants were accepted. If those same students were to have applied under our new criteria, even fewer might have made it through," she said.

She urged those looking to enter teaching to apply early and show an absolute commitment.

- © Fairfax NZ News