So you want to teach? Unisa offers a way

I am a 38-year-old woman who was in matric in 1989. I wrote my final exams but did not get through. I have spent most of my career in banking and have since left the industry to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher.

I completed a diploma in Modern Montessori and since 2008 I have been assisting as a class facilitator at a boys' school in Johannesburg.

I would like to complete a degree in education as the school is willing to take me on as an intern and later keep me on staff as a permanent teacher. I am interested in studying part time.

Could you please advise me as to what course I can follow through Unisa and the best way to go about doing so? - Future teacher

Dear Future teacher,

At the moment new teachers have to be in possession of a four-year B Ed degree or a three-year degree which includes appropriate school subjects, followed by a one-year professional educator's diploma. Both these pathways lead to formal registration with the South African Council for Educators.

Unisa offers a number of four-year B Ed degrees such as early childhood development (foundation phase), or intermediate and senior phase, or senior and FET phase.

You could orientate yourself by visiting Unisa's website at www.unisa.ac.za and follow links such as "applications 2010", "do I qualify to study through Unisa?" and "'do I qualify for admission to a bachelor's degree at Unisa?"

In addition, you would find links to the programmes they offer and could look into the BEd options in more detail.

I would suggest you write to them on e-mail: educareT@unisa.ac.za or phone the general contact number on 0861670411 to inquire about their entrance requirements for such study and any recognition for prior learning for which you could qualify, as well as whether your diploma in Modern Montessori Education would be taken into account for your intended study programme.