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Maintain teacher scholarships, says educator
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Posted on Apr 27 1999
The teacher scholarship program has been spared from the cap imposed on financial aid for students pursuing post-secondary education and an educator believes that this type of investment is needed to develop local teachers.
“If the CNMI wants to have teachers then they have to leave the scholarship in tact,” said Joan Kani of the Teacher’s Academy at Marianas High School.
The last survey conducted in the Public School System has counted that 60 percent of its total number of teachers are from the US mainland. This off-island recruitment is costing PSS over half a million each year.
While the CNMI full scholars can expect a maximum help of $15,000 from the government, students availing of the Educational Assistance Program can only look forward to receiving $1,000 every year. Educational aid for those who want to become teachers remains at $12,000 a year.
According to Kani, the amount is just enough for students, particularly those enrolled in universities. Word has reached the “teacher scholars” and they feel really good about it, she said.
Return of investment is also assured. Kani said seven teacher scholars are scheduled to earn their B.A. or B.S. this year and they will join the PSS. Around 11 students will also complete their Associate Arts degree this year, she added.
Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos repeatedly told educators that PSS is expecting graduates from the Teacher Academy program this year. Three have earlier joined PSS in August of last year.
With this investment on their education, more high school students are joining the Teacher Academy of MHS. For this year, 21 senior high school students are with the program and will pursue education degree.
Although, most of these students are going off-island, Kani intends to work with the Northern Marianas College. “I would hope that in the years to come, NMC’s real emphasis will be in teaching. They need to make teaching courses available and yes we would like to send our students to NMC,” she said.
