Upgrading of colleges of education is a must - Benyiwa-Doe

Assin Fosu (C/R), May 30, GNA - The Government would ensure that its vision to fully integrate the 38 colleges of education into tertiary institutions is fully implemented, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, the Central Regional Minister has said.

In a speech read for her at the Second Graduation Ceremony of the Fosu College of Education, at Assin Fosu, at the weekend, the Regional Minister encouraged teachers to put in their best at all times. Mrs Benyiwa-Doe said the government appreciated the contribution of teachers and had a lot plans to adequately reward the efforts they were putting into human resource development. "You must put away the negative perception that teaching is not rewarding enterprise. very soon teachers will smile," she said.

A total of 304 students graduated with nine of them obtaining Second Class Upper and 128 having Second Class Lower. One hundred and fifty three had Third Class Lower and 14 had passes. The theme for the graduation was: "Consolidating the Tertiary Status of Colleges of Education, the way forward for FOSCO." It was chaired by the Mr Kwame Sarfo Kantanka, Central Regional Director of Education.

Mrs Benyiwa-Doe appealed to the graduates to take good care of the children entrusted in their care and commended the authorities, staff and workers of the college for their commitment and hard work that had sustained the institution over the years.

Professor Emmanuel Abeka, Dean of the Faculty of Languages at the University of Education of Winneba, who was he guest speaker, said teachers must upgrade to be more effective in the classroom. He also urged them to be well versed in their subject areas to make teaching more exciting.

He explained that to consolidate the tertiary status of colleges of education, they should be able to solve the problems that saddled the previous teacher training system.

The Principal of the College, Mr James Mensah, advised the graduates against maintaining the Diploma Certificate they had obtained as the ultimate academic and professional achievement. They should take advantage of the many post diploma programmes to upgrade themselves in order to become competitive and effective on the job market.

Mr Mensah enumerated a number of challenges facing the college, which include lack of accommodation, assembly hall, staff bungalows and a bad road network.

He appealed for support from all stakeholders to facilitate its transformation into a full tertiary institution.