The University of Cape Coast has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with 16 Colleges of Education as part of reforms in teacher education in the country. The MoU signals the official affiliation of 16 out of the 46 Colleges of Education to UCC. Previously, UCC was supervising all the Colleges of Education but with the introduction of the new Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programme, the colleges have been shared among five public universities namely, University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba, (UEW); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); University of Ghana (UG) and the University for Development Studies (UDS).
The new B. Ed. programme has three specialisms, B. Ed Early Grade Teacher Education, B. Ed Upper Primary Teacher Education and the B. Ed Junior High School Teacher Education programmes. The new B. Ed curriculum is expected to improve learning outcomes and ensure children are motivated to be life-long learners beyond their time in school.
UCC will Provide Quality Service to the Colleges
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, noted that UCC would continue to deliver the best of service to the affiliated colleges. He indicated that the new relationship would be quite different from what used to exist between the 46 colleges and UCC. “With the 46 colleges of education, it was mostly supervision of their examinations, however, the 16 colleges which are now our affiliates will enjoy mentorship and the bond will be stronger. We shall empower them to do most of the things on their own” he explained.
UCC will Partner with the 16 Colleges
Prof. Ampiah said UCC would treat the colleges as partners in the delivery of quality education to Ghanaians stressing that “Teacher education is very keen to achieving quality education and we will ensure that as the pioneer University of Education, we would work with the 16 colleges to realise this objective” Prof. Ampiah further assured that “Through the Institute of Education, we will do all we can to give you more autonomy when we see that you are doing the right thing”. Sharing her expectation about the new relationship, the immediate past President of the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) and the Principal of the OLA College of Education, Rev. Sr. Elizabeth Amoako Arhin, noted that they were privileged to have been affiliated to UCC. According to her UCC has a remarkable record of academic excellence in terms of Teacher Education. She stressed that “UCC is the University of Competitive Choice and we expect UCC to really mentor us so that we can do things like how universities do. We are happy about what has happened here today and the assurance by the Vice-Chancellor to bring the best out of us”.
On his part, the Principal of Berekum College of Education, Mr. Prince Yeboah, said they had made efforts to build the capacities of tutors through the assistance of UCC. He was hopeful that the new relationship with UCC would enhance Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes for all categories of staff in the colleges, especially the tutors.
The 16 colleges affiliated to UCC are Abetifi College of Education, Eastern Region, OLA College of Education, Central Region, Holy Child College of Education in the Western Region and Foso College of Education, Central Region. The rest are Berekum, St. Monica’s College of Education, Mampong; St. Teresa’s College of Education, Volta Region, St Francis College of Education, Volta Region; Atebubu College of Education, Bono East Region and the SDA College of Education, Ashanti Region. Offinso College of Education, Ashanti Region; Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, Eastern Region; St. Ambrose College of Education, Bono Region and Jasikan College of Education, Oti Region.
Present at the ceremony were the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh; Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan and the Director of the Institute of Education, Prof. Christine Adu-Yeboah.