THE current crisis has further taken its toll on the
Pacific Theological College. Apart from disrupting its
41 week academic calendar it has already seen to the
evacuation of its students. Now even the lecturers are
leaving. Two of their lecturers have given in their
resignations stating the crisis as their reasons.
Speaking to the Daily Post, college principal, Reverend
Dr Jovili Meo confirmed the resignations and said this
was a blow to them. Rev Meo said they would have to
cope (with the remainder of the term, if they get to
start) without the two. He said they would now try to
re-schedule their programme to meet the academic
requirements of all students within their rearranged 41
weeks. "We've already lost five weeks and this is very
costly to us financially and in terms of teaching hours
being lost. At the end of the year some students
graduate with a Bachelor of Divinity and another with a
Master of Theology.
The Bachelor of Divinity students do a three year
course while those doing the Master of Theology
course do so in two and half years. Despite the lost
time, Rev Meo is intent on maintaining the quality of
education provided for the two courses. An option
being looked at is the semester system like that being
used at the University of the South Pacific. In doing so
Rev Meo said he was optimistic they could cover all the
lost time.
The Master's students have to do a thesis as a major
assignment. The assessment is done at overseas
universities and it should be with them on October 30.
The assessment usually takes one month. With the changes brought on by the
crisis, Rev Meo
said they would have to contact the markers abroad. The changes also mean the
graduation
ceremony will now be held a week away from christmas. Local students were looking
after the
college and its properties with the help of soldiers.
Fiji's Daily Post
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