Letters to the Editor
View(s):NIE’s admission policies for the B.Ed programme
I pen these words with a heavy heart, representing the shared frustration and disappointment of countless students like myself who find ourselves caught in the web of the National Institute of Education’s (NIE) infrequent admission policies for the B.Ed programme.
In a world where every moment counts, it’s disheartening to face a reality where opportunities for the Bachelor’s degree programme are offered only once every four years. The last intakes were in 2017 and 2022, leaving a vast period until the next intake in 2026.
For those of us stuck like me in the middle of these four-year gaps, the impact is profound. We watch as our dreams are deferred, our education halts, and our youth slips away without the chance to pursue higher education. It’s an emotional toll that’s difficult to express.
The leadership of the National Institute of Education, plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational opportunities of countless students. We implore them to reconsider these policies and provide a fair chance for all deserving students.
Furthermore the opportunities for admission to the Bachelor of Education programme are exclusively granted to teachers, principals and heads of institutions. This restrictive policy, coupled with the requirement of more than GCE A/L qualifications, has created a significant disparity in educational opportunities for aspiring students.
The mandate for applicants to hold positions as teachers, principals, or heads of institutions disproportionately limits access to the programme. This raises questions of fairness, as many individuals who have worked diligently to complete their GCE A/L examinations find themselves excluded from pursuing undergraduate studies due to these rules.
Adding to the distress, there appears to be a lack of interest from the institution in addressing inquiries from affected students. Calls go unanswered, and attempts to seek clarity on their educational future remain unacknowledged.
Disappointed student Via email
One nation’s over-reaction and another’s crucifixion
I have found that the Jews, as individuals, are intelligent, sensitive, and caring.
History is replete with the names of Jews of exceptional achievements.
From Biblical times they have undergone several forced “exoduses” culminating in the horrendous “permanent exodus” perpetrated by the Nazis. Presumably it is this traumatised psyche of their race that makes them over-react when their security is threatened.
Israelis should realise that however much they continue to bomb Hamas out of existence, as long as they continue to believe that Palestinian lives are expendable and should be denied their right to exist as an independent nation, there will always be a Hamas!
And what of the reaction of the Western Christian nations? Why do they handle the Israelis with kid gloves? Certainly, there is a powerful Jewish lobby. In addition, the image of the crucified Jesus Christ looms large provoking a collective guilt.
In the process of pandering to Israel, will they be party to another crucifixion, of a nation, this time?
And what of the UN? They have once again confirmed their impotence in solving international issues.
Dr. Premini Amerasinghe via email
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