1. What is the 4-year B.Ed program being offered at the Government Elementary College of Education, Hussainabad? Why should we consider the 4-year B.Ed (Hons.) program and how is this program different from the standard B.Ed (Hons.) program in Pakistan?
The 4 Year B.Ed. (Hons.) program being offered at the Government Elementary College of Education, Hussainabad is a unique 4-year undergraduate teaching degree developed jointly by the University of Helsinki (Finland), GECE, and Karachi University faculty and it will provide student-teachers with opportunities to:
• Align classroom planning and teaching with 21st-century knowledge and skills
• Balance traditional teaching methods, such as lecture, with more student-centered and interactive teaching strategies
• Understand the science of how children learn and apply this knowledge to teaching and learning
• Use multiple strategies to teach students with a variety of learning needs
• Participate in learning communities through coaching, mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and team-teaching with peers
• Use a range of assessment strategies to evaluate student learning
2. What are the application prerequisites? How do I know I am eligible to apply?
The application prerequisites are as follows:
• The applicant must have cleared Intermediate with at least 55% marks or must have completed A Levels with an average C grade.
• The applicant must have a valid domicile of the specific district that is announced at the time of admissions.
3. Is this program only for women or can men apply as well?
The Government Elementary College of Education is currently a women’s only college.
4. Is there an age limit to apply for the degree?
No. There is no age limit for admission in the Bachelor of Education degree program.
5. Would students have to pay for course materials such as reading packs and books?
All reading materials will be assigned in soft copy and students may print these at their own expense. All other course handouts etc. will be provided to the students free of cost. Some courses may require the purchase of textbooks though this will rarely be the case.
6. What job prospects do students have after they graduate from the program?
All admitted students sign a 7-year agreement with Durbeen, in which Durbeen commits to fully subsidize a student’s 4-year degree program and in turn, students commit to teaching for 3 years in a Durbeen-assigned government school. However, to avail this opportunity, students must graduate with a CGPA of at least 2.6/ 4.0.
These government schools will be privately managed and will provide teachers with a safe and supportive environment in which to implement all the skills they have learnt in the B.Ed. program.
However, if teachers pass the Sindh Teaching License exam soon after graduation and become Grade-16 government teachers, then this mandatory 3-year teaching service period will be waived and the contract will be ended.
7. What are the semester and yearly fees for the degree?
The fee structure for GECE, Hussainabad is as follows:
– PKR 2200/- for a one-time enrollment fee
– PKR 3050/- for the examination fee every semester
This fee is charged by the College’s degree-awarding body, Karachi University. Please note that Durbeen charges no additional tuition or other fees.
Laptops will only be given on a need basis. Students who can afford must bring their own laptops or they can avail the college’s laptop installment payment plan (over a 2 year term).
A refundable security deposit of Rs. 10,000 to be paid by the candidates who are offered admission. This is refunded after the student has attended one month of classes at the college.
8. What are the timings of the college and classes?
The B.Ed. degree program being offered at the GECE is the B.Ed. Elementary program and this is taught full-time, in-person over a span of 4 years (8 semesters). Classes range from 4 to 6 hours everyday, between 08:30 AM – 04:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
9. Does the college offer transport for students who have to travel long distances to get to college?
The college does not offer transport but it does facilitate students coming from the same area to coordinate with each other for a pooled transportation arrangement. Each student bears their own transportation cost.
10. What is the pattern for the entrance test and how do we prepare for it?
The entrance test assesses each applicant’s competency in English and focuses on English reading comprehension and English essay writing at the Intermediate English level.
11. What if I fail the admission test?
Applicants who fail the admission test will be offered an English course. At the end of this course, the students will be assessed in another test. Passing students will be offered admissions.
Students who fail this test may take the course a second time to improve their chances. This course will be offered twice before admissions end. First, in February/March and then in June/July.
12. What if I fail a subject in my A-levels/ Intermediate, will I get admission?
All applicants should have cleared all subjects with a cumulative score of minimum 50%.
13. What documents are to be submitted with the admission form?
● One attested Matriculation or Equivalent Certificate/Marksheet
● One attested copy of HSSC or Equivalent Certificate/Marksheet
● One copy of CNIC or Juvenile Card of applicant/ CNIC or JV application token
● One copy of CNIC of parent
● Two passport size photographs of the applicant (write full name on the reverse side of the photograph)
14. I am under 18, How can I apply?
Students under 18 can submit their application with their Juvenile card/JV application Token
See link below
https://www.nadra.gov.pk/identity/identity-jvc/