Reaching the Unreached Primary Teachers: Distance Teacher Education at the University of the South Pacific

Authors

  • Govinda Ishwar Lingham School of Education, University of the South Pacific
  • Greg Burnett University of Otago

Abstract

This paper reports on the recent completion of an educational aid project carried out at the regional University of the South Pacific
in Fiji. From 2004 to 2006, the university’s on-campus Bachelor of Education (primary) was restructured for delivery in flexible and
distance learning mode, in order to better meet student need across the Pacific region. The paper highlights the processes as well as some of the challenges involved in such a large undertaking. The paper also highlights the unique distance/teacher education context in which the University of the South Pacific operates.

Author Biographies

Govinda Ishwar Lingham, School of Education, University of the South Pacific

Govinda Ishwar Lingam is a Lecturer and
Division Head of Primary Education at the
University of the South Pacific. He taught
at various secondary schools in Fiji before
becoming a Senior Lecturer and Head of theSchool of Education at the government-owned primary teachers’ college, Lautoka Teachers’ College in Fiji. His professional and research interests are in teacher education and rural education, especially multi-grade teaching and educational management and leadership.

Greg Burnett, University of Otago

Greg Burnett is a Lecturer in Education at the University of Otago. The research this article reports on was conducted with the coauthor while Burnett was teaching and course writing at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. He has taught at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in a number of Pacific Island countries. His research interests include Pacific education systems, teacher voice, cultural critique, and critical theory.

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Published

2023-09-23

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2008): Journal of Distance Learning 12(1)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Govinda Ishwar Lingham, Greg Burnett

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