The challenges faced by Fourth/Final Year Student-Teachers of The Mico University College are wide and varied. Therefore, this is not the cry, concern, or story of some or by no means all Miconians on their final stretch in the teacher training institution. 

However, due to the pandemic, The Mico forced a new model of practicum, from a 4-month structure to a now year-long structure (1 school year). While this arrangement was done with the Ministry of Education prior to October 2020. It was not until November 26, 2020, after tuitions were paid that The Mico University released a document to appease students prior to a planned peaceful protest. 

While the promise to provide refunds sounds good. This is not a concrete agreement and we demand a definite date for the refunds to be done. 

Student-teachers are without devices and the miscellaneous fee could have been used to purchase devices or aid with data plans. 

What of student-teachers' mental health or wellness? We are the future, we are the now? We have exams coming up at The Mico, lecturers demanding assignments, the schools we are aiding also have demands as these are real students and real lives we have in our hands. This is not just an experiment or a grade. We need more support and assurance from our institution to work as optimally as possible to help these students and schools. 

Why force us to undertake an unpaid job alongside our studies of 3-5 courses while some seasoned teachers are still not able to function with the new normal? 

These few issues and more are some of the concerns of student-teachers.