Mico graduates face accreditation problems, school begs for patience

Jovan Johnson, Gleaner Writer



KINGSTON, Jamaica:

The Mico University College is appealing for patience from dozens of its graduates who cannot benefit fully from their degrees because of a lack accreditation.



Mico is arguably the premier teacher-training institution in the English-speaking Caribbean.



However, many of its former students have complained to The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that they are frustrated at not being able to have their degrees recognised because of accreditation issues.



Some say they are being paid well below the accepted rate because their employers including the Education Ministry, are awaiting the accreditation.



Incoming interim president of Mico, Dr Carol Clarke says the university college understands the frustration but has to await the final verdict from the University Council of Jamaica, which approves degree programmes.



The problem affects persons who graduated as recently as two years ago with degrees in areas such as English language and literature and history and culture.



The professor says one of the issues with the accreditation process is that institutions must graduate students from degree programmes before the UCJ can be invited to give its stamp of approval.



Clarke says Mico cannot give a specific date as to when it will hear from the UCJ but it expects it will be soon.



Contacted, an official at the UCJ told the news centre that the persons authorised to speak on the matter were not available.



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