Programme Overview

 

The Bachelor of Education Honours in Primary Education [BEdHons – (Pri. Ed.)] is a four-year, full-time undergraduate degree offered by the Faculty of Education at the University of Colombo. This programme is tailored to produce highly qualified, professional primary school educators equipped with strong theoretical foundations, practical pedagogical skills, and ethical leadership. Fully aligned with level 6 of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF 2015), the degree integrates child-centered learning strategies, modern technology integration, action research, and hands-on teaching practice to prepare graduates for dynamic classroom environments.

Key Graduate Competencies

Graduates of the BEdHons – (Pri. Ed.) degree emerge with:

  • Design and implement child-centered, interactive, and technology-integrated learning experiences.
  • Demonstrate leadership, curriculum management, ethical responsibility, and lifelong learning.
  • Possess strong disciplinary knowledge alongside effective communication and ICT skills.
  • Apply analytical thinking and research capability to educational contexts.
  • Show a dedication to social and cultural inclusion in professional practice.

 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the programme is conducted through direct intake via University Grants Commission selections. Selection for the annual intake of 75 students requires applicants to meet the following entry qualifications:

 

G.C.E. Advanced Level: Minimum of three passes in any stream.

 

G.C.E. Ordinary Level: Specified passes in the following four mandatory subjects:

  • First Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • English

 

Programme Structure & Delivery

Students must register for all defined course units each year. The 129-credit requirement is distributed across the four academic years, requiring a minimum registration of 30 GPA-contributing credits per year.

The curriculum consists of the following main components;

Programme component Description No. of Credits
Academic Course Units Subject-specific foundational coursework. 91 Credits
Professional Course Units Pedagogical and teaching theory modules. 23 Credits
Teaching Practicum

Teaching Practicum I:  Consists of 10 weeks combining school field studies, block teaching, professional development workshops, teacher orientation workshops, and micro-teaching to build core skills in lesson planning, teacher personality, guidance and counseling, classroom management, assessment and ICT integration.

Teaching Practicum II: Consists of 10 weeks of hands-on school placement focused on term and lesson planning, active teaching, instructional aids, classroom and curriculum management and reflective practice.

 09 Credits
Dissertation Guides students through identifying educational problems, literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and academic writing using individual assignments and problem-based learning.  06 Credits
Enhancement Courses

A suite of 8 courses building resilience, engagement, inclusivity, and well-being. Completion of at least two enhancement courses is mandatory for graduation.

ENC 1 –  Aesthetics and Drama

ENC 2 – Happiness and Well-being

ENC 3 – Health and Nutrition

ENC 4 – Inclusive Education

ENC 5 – Media and Communication

ENC 6 – Psychological First Aid and Risk Management

ENC 7 – School-based Community Relation Activities

ENC 8 – Sport Activities
Total  129 Credits

 

 

Instructional Methods

Delivery is face-to-face unless determined otherwise by the Faculty Board. Methods of instruction include:

  • Lectures and practical classes
  • Tutorials and seminars
  • Assignments, reports, and presentations
  • Independent research
  • School-based Teaching Practicum

Teaching Practicum

The Teaching Practicum component of the programme provides student teachers with progressive opportunities to connect theoretical knowledge with professional practice and to develop the competencies required for effective teaching. It consists of TPR 4203 – Teaching Practicum I and TPR 4206 – Teaching Practicum II, together accounting for 20 weeks of school-based teaching and learning experiences as follows;

Components Duration
Teaching Practicum I School field studies and Block teaching

8 weeks

(2 weeks per year)
Professional development workshops 1 week
Teacher orientation workshops 1 week
Teaching Practicum II A hands-on school teaching placement focused active teaching, 10 weeks
Total 20 weeks

 

TPR 4203 Teaching Practicum I:  The course aims to enable students to perceive the intellectual, emotional, and social climate of students, address individual learning difficulties, maintain interactions with stakeholders, connect school with the community, and simulate curriculum implementation at the classroom level.

The course content features;

  • School field studies focusing on the history and culture of the school, administrative structure, classroom teaching, and co-curricular activities.
  • Block teaching
  • Professional development workshops on the teaching-learning process, including formulation of lesson objectives, lesson planning, assessment and evaluation, preparation and use of learning aids, classroom management, guidance and counselling, teacher personality and professional conduct, and integration of ICT in teaching and learning.
  • Teacher orientation workshops focusing on lesson planning, micro-teaching, teaching simulations, and reflective practice.

 

TPR 4206 – Teaching Practicum II: A hands-on school teaching placement focused on term and lesson planning, active teaching, instructional aids, classroom and curriculum management and reflective practice.