Bethlehem Tertiary Institute | Te Whare Tauira O Peterehema has once again been given the highest possible rating, Category One, in a recent External Evaluation and Review (EER) by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Based in Tauranga, BTI is one of a few tertiary institutes in the Bay of Plenty rated as Category One.
In its recently released report, the NZQA confirms that they are both “highly confident in Bethlehem Tertiary Institute’s educational performance” and “highly confident in BTI’s self-assessment capability.” These are the highest possible ratings.
BTI’s Principal | Te Taiurungi Dr Andrew Butcher welcomed the report’s conclusions. “This report is as good as it gets and is a testament to each of our staff and their mahi, as well as to our students. Above all, this is a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness to us and to BTI,” he said.
The review looked at BTI’s Counselling, Primary Teacher Education and Early Childhood Teacher Education programmes. These three programmes were given the highest NZQA rating of excellent.
Head of School of Teacher Education at BTI, Dr Marion Sanders was delighted with the results of the review. “Our Teacher Education programmes are shaped by feedback from students, alumni and schools so that we continually improve and ensure courses are fit for purpose,” she said.
The NZQA endorsed BTI’s role in supporting and enabling students to succeed: “Most students [at BTI] succeed in their studies and progress into employment at consistently high rates,” they said.
Head of School of Social Practice, Dr James Arkwright confirmed that BTI is committed to student success. “Our programmes feature strong work-integrated-learning components, with counselling students engaging in at least 200 hours of practical experience. With increasing demand for qualified counsellors, our graduates are ready for professional practice straight away,” said Dr Arkwright.
The EER is conducted every four years by a panel of independent education experts. During the review, the panel examined BTI’s educational performance and capability in self-assessment. The review characterised BTI as “a high performing institution which is meeting the most important needs of learners and stakeholders.”
BTI is based in Tauranga and offers part-time, full-time and distance study options across Teaching, Social Work, Counselling, master’s and postgraduate study, as well as a
Level 4 certificate in study and career preparation.