Theodosia Jackson
Principal of Jackson College of Education (JCE), Theodosia Jackson has appealed to the government to include students of the college in the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) posting of trained teachers from Colleges of Education.
According to her, this will encourage private sector participation in the training of man-power needs in the education sector, noting that the non-state sector is supplying significant education services in many contexts.
Mrs. Jackson, who made the call at the 9th Congregation of the College in Kumasi, indicated that private involvement can increase financial resources committed to education and supplement state capacity to absorb growing demands while assuring standards.
The congregation ceremony held on the theme: “Virtual Learning: A Solution to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 on Education” saw 1,924 students from 28 learning centres in 13 regions passing out with flying colours.
This brings to 14,335 the total number of professionally trained teachers produced by JCE since its establishment in 2009.
The JCE Principal underscored the need for the government to recognise the contributions of the college in the training of teachers by employing its products who have satisfied all requirements, including the licensure examination.
She said there is evidence to suggest that the private sector is complementing the government’s effort to meet the growing demands of students.
Mrs. Jackson disclosed that while a few of JCE students were previously posted, majority of them had not been assigned and remained home despite passing their licensure examination.
She said the government should take a critical look at the situation to ensure equity, pointing out that graduates of private schools are also Ghanaians who deserve employment just like their counterparts in the public schools.
“We train these teachers without the involvement of government and also pay taxes so it is only fair to engage our products so that we can collectively build this nation as stakeholders,” she stated.
She said graduates of JCE had received commendations from District Directors of Education for their field work and commitment to duty.
“We have been following up to assess how they are performing on the field and the feedback we received from their Circuit Supervisors and District Directors has been encouraging,” the Principal indicated.
She said JCE students accept postings to rural communities without hesitation and appealed to the government to include them in GES postings.
“What would have happened to the over 14,000 teachers we have trained over the years. Some of them could have become armed robbers for lack of opportunities so I wish to entreat the government to extend the postings to such people,” she stressed.
Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour commended JCE for complementing the government’s efforts by the training of teachers, and pledged the Ministry’s commitment to support the college.
By Ernest Kofi Adu