College not providing tutor for course?

Question

A Friend of mine is studying media at college, the course is 12 modules long however the college have not always provided a tutor for this course and have not had a tutor with the correct qualifications. This has led to only 3 modules being taught and there should have been 12.

The college have told them that no one will be able to pass the course unless the 12 modules have been complete and that they apologise for the lack of staff able to teach the course.

They now however have employed a media teacher, and have told the students that in order to pass they need to attend college for during the summer holidays to complete the remaining 9 modules.

Is this correct it seems a bit unfair and should the students contact the education authority?

Answer 1

The school is probably bound to an accrediting agency or board, who decides (1) what qualifications a professor needs to teach a course, and (2) what courses students must take before being recommended for graduation.  If this is the case, the school has no choice:  they couldn't offer the classes because they had no one qualified to teach them, and they can't give degrees to students who took only 25% of the program's requirements.

Unfortunately they were handicapped by not being able to find a qualified instructor.  When viewed in this larger picture, you have to agree it's not the school's fault they they couldn't offer the courses.  They don't control the market conditions that provide (or don't provide, as the case may be) qualified employees.

The result is the students must take what is offered to them or transfer to another program.  It sucks, but scheduling and employment problems are a reality of the university system.  However, the school should also recognize the inconvenience to their students and make some sort of concession, like a tuition reduction or a better schedule than cramming 75% of the requirements in a short summer session.  (Imagine how quickly they're going to speed through all that material!)

Answer 2

I most certainly would meet with the dean of students to get the matter resolved... All the students if possible should arrange a general meeting with the dean AND the new media teacher.. .Maybe there's another way to get all the coursework without having to take summer cources....

Good luck