Introduction

What is ECE-CP?

Why ECE?

What Will I Learn?

Required Courses

Course Descriptions

Course Duration

Course Hours

Evaluation

Course Instructors

How Should I Apply?

Contact Information

Fee Information

Download Application Form

The TRC-Institute of ECE

The TRC Institute of Early Childhood Education (TRC-IECE) is a project of the TRC; we are registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 (KAR. No 0066 2006-07) at the Joint Stock Companies, Sindh. The TRC-IECE has been set up to meet the need for trained, professional ECE teachers in private and public sector schools. The TRC-IECE aims to:

• equip ECE teachers with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to enable her/him to respond appropriately to the needs of young children in early childhood settings.
• enhance the pool of ECE professionals in the country, and in the region.
• impact on public sector teacher training institutes and their programmes.
• carry out and publish research studies to increase awareness of issues effecting children; and provide policy recommendations for ECE programming. In its first few years, the IECE will offer a year long ECE programme for in-service teachers.

What is the Early Childhood Education Certificate Programme (ECE-CP)?

The ECE-CP is an early years’ education programme, committed to developing and supporting early childhood professionals. It is an academically rigorous programme, yet flexible in its approach. It has been developed in collaboration with our institutional partners, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and Ryerson University in Canada. This innovative programme is the first of its kind in the country.

The institutional linkage between the partners, has been supported by the Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) through the Pakistan-Canada Social Institutions Development Programme, in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency.

Why should I choose ECE as a career?

Are you concerned about children, about education and schooling, about competitiveness, about values and violence in our society? Well, research tells us that it is in the early years that the foundation for the kind of people we will become, are established. Do you want to make a difference to the way the adults and decision makers of tomorrow conduct themselves, their businesses and raise their families? By working with the young children of today, you can help shape the future.

In Pakistan, there is a great need for professional early years’ teachers. At present, the only validated ECE programmes are based on the Montessori approach to ECE.

What will I learn?

Graduates of the ECE-CP will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:

• Knowledge of the history and philosophy of ECE, and its importance in the East and West
• Knowledge and understanding of child development from zero to eight
• Knowledge and understanding of family structures in a changing environment
• Knowledge and understanding of different curricular approaches to ECE
• Knowledge and understanding of active learning and the importance of play
• Knowledge of and the ability to promote pro-social behaviour
• Understanding of the Philosophy Statements and Statement of Objectives, in the National ECE Curriculum (2007), Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan
• Knowledge and analytical skills required for observation, record keeping and assessment of the learning environment, group dynamics, individual children and own performance
• Knowledge, skills and ability to carry out on-going action research
• The ability to plan and organise an inclusive, active learning environment
• The ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programmes that meet the needs and interests of children
• Practical experiences in early childhood environments that demonstrate the application of theory to practice

What courses will I be required to take for the ECE-CP?

Here is a list of the courses you will take in the ECE-CP:

View Course Descriptions »

How long will it take to complete the programme?

The ECE-CP is a one year programme. Term 1 is from October 2008 – January 2009. Term 2 is from January 2000 to April 2009 and Term 3 is from May – July 2009.

How many hours in the day will I have to invest?

Class days and hours differ during each term. Depending on the number of courses in the term, classes will be held three or four days a week in the afternoons, from 2:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.

Pre-service students will have a longer day. Course delivery hours will be the same for all students. Three to four mornings a week, you will go to a school, one of our field placement sites, where you will observe ECE in action. Later you will be expected to assist the teacher & then plan and independently implement developmentally appropriate activities.

How will I be evaluated? How many tests will I have to take?

Your progress will be based on successful completion of courses. You will be evaluated in a fair and consistent manner, according to the specific learning outcomes described in the course outlines. These will be given to you at the start of each course. You will have written assignments, projects/presentations, mid term and final assessments for each course.

Who will teach the courses?

Mahenaz Mahmud has a BA (Hons) Degree in Psychology, from Karachi University. She has 10 years of teaching and team leading experience at Karachi Grammar School, where she introduced the High/Scope approach to learning for early years’ classrooms. Since 1991 she has worked at TRC with a wide range of schools/teachers from the private and public sectors. She was instrumental in the development and formalisation of Pakistan’s first National ECE Curriculum.

Ghazanfar Shahzad has an MBA from Preston University, a Montessori Diploma from the Montessori Teachers’ Training Centre, affiliated with AMI Holland, and an ECE Diploma from Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada. Starting in 2004, he has conducted many ECE workshops at TRC.

Mariya Moochhala has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Karachi. Over the years, her line of work has taken her to a variety or organizations including WAR (War Against Rape), Liaquat National Hospital and Indus Academy. Mariya currently works with Bayview Academy and READ.

Maria Haque has a Masters of Arts degree, from Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, USA. She has majored in Curriculum and Teaching. She has seven years experience as a teacher/coordinator at Mrs. Haque’s Junior school, and as a workshop leader at TRC since 1999.

Nida Alavi has an M.Ed in Early Childhood Special Education from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University and a B.A from Ohio Wesleyan University, USA where she majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Nida has worked extensively with young children in the US and Pakistan. In 2006, she freelanced with TRC in conducting workshops and course development. She is now a full-time member of the TRC team and developing trainings in special education.

How should I apply?

Download the Application Form and submit it at the address given below:

• The last date for submission of forms is Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
• The application processing fee is Rs. 500, and is non-refundable.
• Short listed applicants will be called for a written test between July 28-31, 2008.
• Further short listed applicants will be called for an interview between August 4-8, 2008.
• Selected candidates will be informed by telephone within a week of the interview.
• The last date for payment of the admission fee is Monday, August 30, 2008.

View Course Fee »

How can I get further details?

• Call TRC-IECE between 3.00 and 5.00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and talk to Nida Alavi at the following numbers:
  (92-21) 539-2976
  (92-21) 539-4059

• Visit TRC-IECE:
  C-121, 2nd Floor, Ehtesham Centre
  DHA Phase 1, Korangi Road
  Karachi – 75500
  Pakistan
• E-mail: iece@trconline.org
  
  This map can help guide you to TRC-IECE »

Fee Information

Note: In addition to the above charges, the prescribed textbooks may be purchased from TRC at a Cost of Rs. 24,000