Batiratu Paddles New Canoe: Changing Journeys

THE world is always changing is something we have come to hear from every quarter. With that constant change comes the opportunity to be part of response best suited to deal with everything that comes with change.

Seven months into my tenure at Pacific Theological College Extension Education (PTCEE), the realisation quickly dawned in the beginning that Extension Education is “the way to go”. Not that residential theological programmes are not the way to go, it’s just that some modes of delivery are best suited to the needs of those in the target group.

Take for instance those who are working, already have a tertiary education but just need some theological training to help or further ground them in these times of rapid social and technological changes, to name just two. Add to that the possibility of their being married with families to care for and look after, they most probably do not have the time to attend classes but they still need the education nonetheless.

Extension education at PTC is also the way to go for those ordained ministers who want to further their studies but cannot do so at their denomination’s theological college. PTCEE can also be that door of opportunity for those wanting to get into ordained ministry, but for some reason or the other, cannot get into another theological school.

Tertiary institutions at which knowledge and skills are imparted with which to deal with the varied challenges of this world are doing their best so their graduates are fully equipped to take on the world and all it offers.

With what is available at PTC and PTCEE offers students elsewhere another dimension to the term “holistic education”. While being prepared with the necessary skills to ensure their success in the secular world, students are sometimes encouraged to take subjects from disciplines other than their major areas of study. Why not a course or two in theology?

Now if you believe that we all have our part to play in God’s ministry, that it is not just for the ordained among us, then PTC and PTCEE have something for each and every one of us including those of us who work at PTC.

Leaving the Fiji Times Ltd after 10 years in its editorial team, might have been viewed by some as taking a risk. After all, the company and newspaper have been around for 149 years. This September, the company will celebrate its 150th birthday.

However, change is a good opportunity for growth and that is something PTCEE wants more than anything else, growth in what it does because what is good for PTCEE will inevitably be also good for PTC. For this to happen, we must let the people know of what we have to offer and how these opportunities can be used for the building of a better Pacific.

That is something we must all work earnestly towards.

Ends….