Institute of Education (IOE)
Professional Development & Learning

Professional Development & Learning

Role of PDL

The role of the Professional Development and Learning (PDL) Programme is to deliver the Institute’s qualifications programmes. Currently PDL delivers the two Programme offered by the IoE: 1. The Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (GCSL) 2. The Professional Certificate in Education Policy and Planning (PCEPP).

PCEPP

This programme will only be offered as a special in-Country project. The primary purpose of the award programme is to improve the skills of educational administrators working Pacific national ministries of education and schools. The programme will focus on specific skills in educational leadership, policy and planning development in education and financing education.

GCSL

This programme is offered as special In-country project and is specifically targeted to meet the needs of school leaders (Principals of secondary schools, Head Teachers of primary schools, and Heads of ECE centres).

  1. Professional Certificate in Education Policy & Planning (PCEPP)
  2. Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (GCSL)

Programme Description

This programme will only be offered as a special in-Country project. The primary purpose of the award programme is to improve the skills of educational administrators working Pacific national ministries of education and schools. The programme will focus on specific skills in educational leadership, policy and planning development in education and financing education.

The programme is focused on three key learning outcomes:

1. Examine elements of educational policy and planning with a sensitivity to the contextual realities of Pacific countries

2. Design effective and the appropriate education policy and planning activities for Pacific context

3. Evaluate current practices of education policy and planning activities in the Pacific context

Special Admission Requirements:

To be admitted into the Professional Certificate in Education Policy and Planning a person shall have:

a) obtained a first degree and teaching qualification;

b) experience as a head of primary and secondary schools, educational administration at the systems level or experience as an education officers at district/provincial/level, educational planning and policy writing at departmental and ministerial levels, experience as director/dean of education systems,  or experienced as head of school;

c) met the USP mature student admission criteria.

Programme Requirements: The Professional Certificate in Education Policy and Planning consists of four courses taught as two-weeks intensive workshops. A total of 8 weeks is needed for the completion of the Professional Certificate. All courses will be taught face to face on campus per cohort.

Courses: EDP01, EDP02, EDP03, EDP04

This programme is offered as special In-country project in Solomon Islands over the next three years, It is specifically targeted to meet the needs of school leaders (Principals of secondary schools, Head Teachers of primary schools, and Heads of ECE centres) in Solomon Islands. The possible offering of the programme in other  Pacific countries will be given due to consideration on a case by case basis.

The programme is meant as a qualifier for school leadership and provides opportunities for participants to explore and apply the principles of school leadership, school management, management of professional development, teaching and learning, and community connectedness. It will use the Principal’s standards as well as the policies and plans of the national Ministry of Education. The programme has an intensive face-to-face component followed by a practicum component where participants have the opportunity to reflect on practice and also design relevant administrative and management tools to use in their particular context.

Special Admission Requirements:

To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership a person shall have:

a) a recognised teacher training qualification, and

b) a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience in Early Childhood Education & Care or Primary or Secondary school environment, and

c) experience in school leadership roles

Programme Requirements:

The Graduate Certificate in School Leadership programme consists of five courses which are seen to be independent focusing on specific elements of school leadership: Planning Professional Development; School Leadership; School Management; Enhancing learning and learning environments; Community Partnership. Each course includes an intensive face-to-face lecture and workshop component as well as a Practicum in the participant’s own educational workplace.

Courses: EDP05, EDP06, EDP07, EDP08, EDP09