3,800 students enrolled as distance learners in UEW

Winneba (C/R), Jan. 14, GNA- Three thousand eight hundred teachers on Saturday, took the matriculation oath to undertake a Diploma course in Basic Education Programme at the University of Education, Winneba. The figure represents an increase of 89 per cent over that of last year's figure of 2,014, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, said this at the matriculation ceremony at Winneba.

Mr. Christopher Akwaa-Mensah, registrar of the University administered the matriculation oath to the students. He said the university hopes to increase the present overall enrolment (distance learners) from 8,629 to thirteen thousand by next academic year to help meet the increasing demand for basic education teachers in the school system.

Professor Anamuah-Mensah said with the implementation of the Free-Compulsory Basic Education programme and the recent introduction of the capitation grant to basic school, enrolment figures in the primary schools have been increased considerably.

He said this had necessitated the need to train adequate number of teachers for the expanding primary sector of education. "It has therefore become imperative for our teacher training Universities to actively take the lead in this regard". The Vice-Chancellor said the Millennium Development Goals agreed to by the World community as well as the Education for All accord formulated in 1990 and 2000 include, a commitment to provide basic education for all children by 2015.

This he said represents a significant challenge, particularly in Ghana where many school-going age children are not in school, adding that the government has made efforts to meet this goal. He said the Distance Learning reduces the problem of many of the teachers leaving their classrooms to further their education while the students are left without teachers.

Professor Anamuah-Mensah said the UEW has put in place support services to enable the student's study successfully as distance learners.

These include the establishment of twelve study centres throughout the country where the students have been meeting with their tutors, adding that it has been equipped with computers this year together with some other facilities, he said.

He encouraged them to attend the monthly tutorial sessions regularly and submit their assignment on time.