We must embrace innovation in teacher education — Minister

Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education has requested all colleges of education to accept cooperation and alteration in the administration of their respective colleges to build up quality products from the colleges for the basic schools in the country.

The Minister of Education said, colleges of education have to promote a culture of pursuing professional development to make sure that “our teachers filled with the latest knowledge and skills.

“Technology must be held on effectively, it must be an essential aspect of the learning process.”

He said, they need to intensify partnerships between colleges of education, the Ministry of Education, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and all other stakeholders to form a reassuring ecosystem for teacher training and career progression.

Mr Iddrisu said this in a speech read by Prof Mahama Dawiejua on his behalf at the 75th Anniversary at Mount Mary College of Education (MOMACOE) at Somanya in the Eastern Region.

Dr Michael Kodzo Mensah, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana said while it was true that Catholic teacher education in Ghana faced challenges, it was very crucial to note that those difficulties an challenges also brought opportunities and hope for growth and development.

He also said, the spotted lack of trained Catholic educators can be addressed through creating training programmes and partnerships with universities which can aid the quality of instruction and reinforce the schools’ religious identity.

The Principal of the College, Dr Cecilia Esinam Agbeh, said the current population of the college stood at 1,456 which are made up of 580 males and 876 females, with 54 academic and 93 non-academic staff.

She mentioned that poor and inadequate infrastructure is a major challenge the college is is facing. So age called for assistance from alumni and other stakeholders.

The President of the Alumni Worldwide, Joseph Saki Venyor, the President of the Alumni Worldwide said it is the responsibility of the old students to support the college in such challenges.

The Student Representative Council President, Maxwell Amuzu Foli, promised recommitment of the students to sustain the values of excellence, integrity and service that defined MOMACOE for 75 years.

The Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Fr. Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, who chaired the occasion, begged with the people in the Krobo area to put an end to land litigation on which the college is built for more infrastructure developments.