The Principal of OLA College of Education, Dr. Mrs. Regina Okyere-Dankwa has stated that OLA CoE presents an exceptionally exciting environment and well-experienced staff but with a lot of responsibilities and the earlier matriculants wake up to this reality, the better for them.
Matriculants need to continually remember that the distance between today’s ceremony and graduation ceremony is quite wide and it is important that the journey ends successfully.
For this to happen, matriculants have to be regular in attendance at lectures, carry out all assignments, and shun deviant behaviours / other vices that could expose them to danger.
The Principal further advised matriculants to show respect to their colleagues and staff in the College so as to make their stay fruitful and productive. Be modest and decent in the way they will dress and approach issues and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations enshrined in the Students Handbook.
Dr. Mrs. Regina Okyere-Dankwa made this known at the College’s 14th (and 3rd) matriculation, on Friday, February 5, 2021. For the 2020/2021 academic session, a total number of 538 student teachers have been admitted to OLA College of Education to study various courses for the Bachelor of Education, Degree being offered in the Institution.
Out of the total number of student teachers admitted, the break-down is as follows:
B. Ed (Early Grade Education) 87 students
B.Ed (Primary Education) 124 students
B.Ed (JHS Education) 317 students
Total 538 students
The Principal reiterated that a matriculation ceremony is significant because it is a statutory gathering to formally admit deserving and qualified candidates who are fortunate to be offered admission into this institution.
“It may interest you to know that the world over, matriculation ceremonies such as the one we are witnessing this morning continue to be observed on the calendar of several higher institutions of learning.
It serves as a ceremony to mark the official entry and acceptance of a student into the fold of an institution. Therefore, this morning’s ceremony marks your formal acceptance as students of OLA College of Education.
After this ceremony, you would, henceforth, be dully recognized as bona fide students of this great and enviable College”. Dr. Mrs. Regina Okyere-Dankwa
It is on this note that the Principal congratulated all fresh student teachers gathered for being deemed qualified to have been admitted for professional teacher training at Ghana’s premier female College of Education.
On a personal note, (the Principal continued) I am very excited that you are the very first set of student teachers that I am admitting into the membership of this unique College of Education in my capacity as the new substantive Principal of this College.
I envision a College of Education that is first among equals, most preferred, making significant contributions to the teaching profession, an efficiently run, self-reliant, workable institution and a force to reckon with among Colleges nationally and globally; a truly 21st century College of Education by the end of my tenure. Gladly, you have come at the right time, and I challenge you to enlist in this herculean vision.
Be reminded that the oath you will take today is to be obedient to the Principal and all those in authority, and to be of good conduct throughout your stay in the College.
Please be warned that a breach of the oath taken today will definitely attract appropriate sanctions. OLA has zero tolerance for any form of misconduct, and we do not hesitate to sanction them.
Finally, I want you all to leave this ceremony with the motivation of Cultivating a Success Mindset by Arthur Ashe which says:
“Start where you are
Use what you have and
Do what you can”
I pray that the Almighty God will protect all of you, prosper you and make you all a source of pride to the College, your families, country and humanity. Today’s joy shall be permanent. Amen.
Once again I congratulate all the matriculating students and wish you a fulfilling and fruitful stay in OLA College of Education. The Principal concluded.
OLA College of Education is the premier Women’s Teacher Training College in Ghana and the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa. It was established by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA Sisters), a Catholic Missionary Order in 1924 and approval was given by then government in 1926.
READ: Coronavirus infections in schools not alarming – GHS
Source:
Documentation Unit,
OLA College of Education
Cape Coast
February, 2021