Some of the students. INSET: Dr. Francis Hull Adams
The Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has encouraged colleges of education to embrace modern pedagogies, digital tools and research-driven approaches to prepare educators for the classrooms.
She said, “In a rapidly evolving world, teacher training colleges should embrace modern pedagogies and research-driven approaches to prepare teachers for the classrooms.”
She described the teaching profession as a noble one and called on teacher trainees to stay focused and allow their training to open doors not only for themselves but for their communities and the nation.
The Vice President stated this in an address read on her behalf at the 80th anniversary celebration of Holy Child College of Education in the Western Region over the weekend.
The celebration was on the theme “80 Years of Excellence, Empowerment and Innovation in Teacher Education in the 21st Century”.
She noted that for eight decades, the college has been producing graduates who have distinguished themselves across the country and beyond.
She commended the past and current staff of the college for their unwavering dedication of training young women and producing generation of educators and professionals who are making meaningful contributions to the country’s development.
“The government will expand infrastructure, improve teaching and learning resources, and integrate technology into education delivery,” the Vice President disclosed.
Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, who was the guest speaker, also mentioned that education in the 21st century must include adaptability and use of contemporary teaching pedagogies.
She also praised the staff of the college for their commitment to excellence, saying, “As we celebrate, we must also continue working hard and not to be complacent to maintain the high standards achieved over the years.”
The Principal of the College, Dr. Francis Hull Adams, revealed that the all-female college which started with 70 students about 80 years ago, now has a student population of 1,287.
He noted that even though the government and the old students have been assisting the school with some infrastructure, the college still face some challenges.
He disclosed that currently the college does not have a bus for the students’ teaching practice. He said the teaching practice are done in the district, hence it becomes difficult conveying the students to and from their respective postings without the college’s own bus.
“In fact, our vision is to make Holy Child College of Education a Centre of Excellence and Research not only in Ghana but also in Africa,” he pointed out.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi