CBU reverses stance, says it will proceed with online bachelor of education degree

Cape Breton University says its eight-month online teaching degree will start in January after all.

CBU cancelled the program earlier this month, saying approval for the unique bachelor of education degree came too late.

At the time, CBU said one of the problems was that there was not enough time to arrange for students to finish practical training.

The university would not make anyone available for an interview, but in a news release on Friday, CBU said it worked closely with the Nova Scotia government and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission to ensure the condensed online B.Ed. meets post-secondary education standards.

"Over the past week, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to overcome significant challenges, ensuring that this program could proceed without compromising its quality or the experience of our students," CBU president David Dingwall said in the release.

CBU has said the degree was launched in 2024 as a pilot program and successfully graduated more than 90 per cent of the students, most of whom have been offered teaching jobs.

Condensed B.Ed. 'shows promise'

Earlier this week, Dingwall blamed the delay and cancellation on the higher education commission, which approved an extension of this year's pilot program for one more year, again as a pilot.

He said CBU would not revisit the decision, but was considering a 12-month program that might start in May.

In an interview, Dartmouth student Ibrahim Elayyan said he was happy when he got a call from CBU late Thursday to say it was reinstating the program.

"I was glad that they came to a resolution because earlier this week the president came out and said that they wouldn't reconsider it, so I kind of lost hope on Monday, but knowing that they came together and worked together as a team was truly some great news right before the break."   

In a news release Friday, the higher education commission said CBU's condensed B.Ed. is not offered anywhere else in the country, but it "shows promise and may continue in 2025."

In an email, CBU said it can ensure students have enough time to complete practical training within the eight-month schedule because the provincial government appointed a co-ordinator to schedule practicum requirements with the regional centres for education.

Elayyan said he is grateful to the university, the provincial government and the commission for working together to get the program back on track.

He's looking forward to quickly getting a teaching job.

"Whichever school you look at, there's quite some bit of opportunities, which is why it's great that the university and the government reconsidered this program," Elayyan said.