CBU president says school won’t revisit decision to cancel online-only B.Ed.

Students at Cape Breton University are disappointed by the university’s decision to cancel its eight-month online teaching degree program. Despite their hopes for a reconsideration, President David Dingwall has made it clear that the program will not be reinstated.

According to Dingwall, the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission played a role in ending the program after its initial successful run earlier this year. He suggested that the commission had never fully supported the program and gave in to pressure from unidentified critics who opposed its continuation.

The sudden cancellation of the program came as a shock to aspiring students like Ibrahim Elayyan from Dartmouth, N.S., who had made significant preparations to begin their studies in January. Many students had taken out loans and made life adjustments in anticipation of the program, only to have their plans disrupted at the last minute.

Elayyan and other affected students have reached out to CBU, the province, and the higher education commission in the hopes of reversing the decision. They have questioned whether a delayed start to the program could be possible, but as of now, they have not received a response.

In response to the outcry, Dingwall has mentioned the possibility of a 12-month program as an alternative. However, he emphasized that this option is not guaranteed and that discussions with the commission are ongoing. He expressed concerns about potential restrictions that could hinder the implementation of a new program.

Elayyan and his fellow students are urging for a resolution that does not require them to put their lives on hold indefinitely. They emphasize the importance of timely action and a clear path forward for their academic pursuits.

Despite the efforts of students and university officials, the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission has remained silent on the matter. Their lack of response has only added to the frustration and uncertainty surrounding the future of the teaching program at Cape Breton University.