UNBC and the Wilp Wilx̱o’oskwhl Nisg̱a’a Institute (WWNI) are working together to deliver the university’s Bachelor of Education Elementary Years program.
The program, which is expected to start in September, is a 20-month course to educate more teachers in the community to increase School District 92 educator capacity, particularly with Indigenous teachers.
UNBC Interim President Dr. Bill Owen talked about how the program came to be.
“We’ve worked with the Ministry of Education and Childcare, and the Ministry of Post-Secondary and Future Skills to put together a condensed program for these students that’ll run through to April 2028, and delivered in person at the WWNI campus.”
The program will support a cohort of 10 to 15 local teacher candidates to complete their degrees.
Dr. Owen said they’ve currently got approval for one cohort, and will see what the program’s success is to look at similar programming in the future.
Graduates will receive a UNBC Bachelor of Education degree and be recommended to the B.C. Teacher Regulation Branch for certification.
He added there are conversations about other courses and programs, and hopes this program serves as a model for future collaborations.
More information about the program can be found on UNBC’s website here.
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