Qualification Certificate in Educational Support (Inclusive Education) Level 4

The course

Teacher aides are a vital addition to mainstream classrooms for children with special needs. The Certificate in Educational Support ensures teacher aides have the skills and knowledge to constructively support special needs students in education.

The course has a very practical base. Each week fulltime students spend two days at MIT and two days in an educational setting. Part-time students spend one day in each environment.

Students are assessed by MIT tutors four times within their chosen educational setting - an early childhood centre, primary or secondary school classroom or learning support centre.

The certificate begins with an introductory course addressing the skills and attitudes required for interacting with people with special needs. Study also includes factors that impact on learning and behaviour in the classroom.

Students learn about producing resources and software to enhance learning, individual education plans (IEP) and techniques to assist with numeracy and literacy. The study also leads to a St John's First Aid Certificate.

There are no formal entry requirements, but students must be in current paid or voluntary work in an educational setting.

When accepted on to the programme, students receive notice of verification and a letter of introduction that can be used to find a work placement if they aren't working.

Applicants without placement must attend an interview and fulfil other requirements including a police check. An IELTS of five or the equivalent is required for people with English as a second language. Alternatively they may sit the MIT English language test.

The course attracts a range of people, including women returning to the workforce, mothers with special needs children, people changing careers and immigrant teachers with qualifications unrecognised in New Zealand.

The course, which starts in February, can be done in one year full-time or two years part-time.

This year the course costs about $3404.

What graduates think

* Suzie Thomson
Teacher Aide to an eight-year-old student with high health needs in a Year 3 class at Mellons Bay Primary School.
Aged 55 years
Completed the Certificate in Educational Support - Inclusive Education, November 2004

Watching someone close to me with learning difficulties was the catalyst to doing this course. I wanted to know more to be able to help and be better equipped assisting children with special needs in education.

I think the school felt more inclined to employ me because I had been accepted into the MIT course. I felt the MIT qualification would add professionalism to an area that in the past has been more about gluing stuff and cutting out pictures.

The certificate equips you to professionally and sensitively support and assist children with special needs.

My job involves giving one-to-one support to a student with high health needs in all areas of the curriculum. I encourage, support, help and monitor his needs. This is my second year with the student and I have witnessed amazing progress.

My MIT qualification armed me extremely well in all those stated areas but most importantly it taught me how to respect, encourage and support the child with special needs and "include" them as much as possible.

The practicums were an area that really stood out in the course. These provided me with invaluable professional feedback and support, giving me a tangible gauge as to how I was performing in the workplace.

What employers think

* Carol Anne Nicholas
Year 3 Teacher at Mellons Bay Primary School
Suzie's job is to look after one of the children in my class on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This is her second year with him.

To do this job you need empathy, and an understanding of the level they're operating at and of their special needs. Suzie is positive and cheerful and makes sure he interacts with all the children and doesn't stand out.

I think the course gives teacher aides a much greater awareness and professional attitude. I've always had a teacher aide for special needs children in my class and notice that Suzie understands a lot more about how to bring out the best in the child than many teacher aides. She is very aware of his needs and often brings activities for him. I think it is a very beneficial course.

Qualification Certificate in Educational Support (Inclusive Education) Level 4

Manukau Institute of Technology

Ph 968 8000 ext 7151

Fax 968 7714

Pay rates: $9 to $15 an hour