The Mico University College’s newest Bachelor’s degree programme got off the ground following a brief orienation exercise at its Marescaux Road campus in Kingston on January 5. The BEd in Language and Literacy is the latest innovation for the 172-year-old teacher-training institution and targets teachers who are currently practising their profession in classrooms throughout the island.

According to board chairman Karl James, and Mico Foundation head, Professor Neville Ying, the new programme is particularly timely in light of the existing paltry state of literacy in the island.

The first cohort comprising over 50 students began classes last Monday.

The course, which is the brainchild of the Dr Carol Clarke-led Department of Language, Literacy and Literature, is co-ordinated by PhD candidates Denver Holt and Karen Morgan.

The BEd in Language and Literacy spans three consecutive semesters, including the summer, with students having the option of specialising in either Language or Literacy.

The programme also boasts a flexible timetable, with classes being conducted from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on weekdays to facilitate working teachers.

Mico, which was granted university status by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) last year, also offers first degrees in Guidance and Counselling, Special Education (in conjunction with the University of the West Indies) and Science and Technology.

It, however, still maintains its foundation Diploma programmes in Primary and Special Education, as well as a proliferation of secondary courses, including Industrial Technology, Computer Science, Physical Education, Reading, Library Science, Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Geography and History.

The Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT), the first post-graduate degree to be offered by the institution, is already under way and will graduate its first batch of students in December this year.

– Hartley Anderson