Some weeks ago, I mentioned how the pandemic was having a major impact upon teaching and education. My undergraduate son has become proficient at killing zombies; less so at deconstructing Chaucer. This may be a good thing.
Last night, I joined fellow assessors for a College of Optometrists webinar outlining the plans to restart the optometrist pre-registration programme. Spare a thought for the many, excellent pre-reg trainee optometrists who have worked their socks off to reach a point, in many cases, very close to full qualification. Then, only to be furloughed or, worse, made unemployed and unable to confirm if there was a post-Covid career assured. It is without any hint of sycophancy that I can confirm that the College has done an excellent job in redesigning the pre-reg programme into one that meets the new safety requirements, but also maintains the appropriate reassurance and rigour to confirm the ability of those deserving of such. I joined all my colleagues in crossing fingers in the hope that, by the end of this week, the GOC will approve the proposals and the adapted scheme can kick off.
On a similar note, I approached the UK Optometry Schools Council recently, asking for clarification of how universities and colleges are coping with the new normal and the effect it will have on future education. Look out in next week’s Optician for their response.
And, if you have been unduly distracted by recent events, you may have missed a call from the GOC on their website for ‘a singe provider [at the time I write this] to gather evidence and make two recommendations regarding the most appropriate Regulated Qualification Framework level for qualifications approved by us for entry on to our register as an optometrist and a dispensing optician.’ A hot topic indeed.