GRANVILLE, St James — Within the last year, there has been a 35 per cent uptick in demand for part-time studies at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, according to Principal Ricardo Bennett.

“[That is] something that we are monitoring closely here at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College because, again, what the data is telling us is that more students are showing a preference for part-time study as compared to those who will study full-time,” stated Bennett.

“We are trying to meet the needs and demands of all students out there who want to come to college but really just don’t have the time to study full-time,” added the principal.

Bennett was fielding questions from the media, Monday, on the sidelines of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s 50th anniversary media launch. During the event, which was held on the college’s compound in Granville, St James, he spoke of the significance of marking a half-century.

“This is a milestone achievement for the institution. It is a period of real pride and indeed a celebratory mood around the campus as we look to this year-long period of celebration,” he said.

The principal used the opportunity to outline a number of new initiatives.

“We have witnessed the expansion of programmes. We recently started the business studies, we also have a programme in computer studies; these are programmes that we are extremely happy about,” stated Bennett.

“We continue with our music programme with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. And, probably for the very first time, we can say that we are in conversations now with City and Guilds to offer some new programmes through our part-time arm of the institution, our School of Continuing Education,” he added.

He also mentioned plans to offer a diploma in engineering through City and Guilds.

In addition, Bennett said the institution has a pre-college course where prospective students who are not fully qualified can matriculate into the bachelor’s degree programme.

Collectively across all programmes offered, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College now has more than 800 students in training with a staff complement of more than 115. It opened its doors in 1975 with general elementary education and general primary education courses: early childhood and one primary programme.