The Minister of State in Charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah has reiterated the government’s readiness to introduce a 4-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) to replace Diploma in Basic Education as minimum requirements for teaching at any level in the education system.

According to Prof. Yankah, the government was doing it in support of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development through the Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) programme to upgrade capacity and improve quality teacher training in order to respond to the educational needs of the country.

This initiative from the government he said would equip teachers with proper teaching and learning experiences fit for the needs of the 21st Century.

Professor Kwesi Yankah made the statement at the inauguration of the Governing Councils of six Colleges of Education (COEs) in Accra on Friday.

The six inaugurated colleges comprised Akatsi College of Education, Bagabaga College of Education, Enchi College of Education, Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) College of Education, Fosu College of Education and Saint Francis College of Education.

He also noted that the COEs would be under the affiliate of five public universities such as the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast for a three-year transition under the guidance of the National Council on Tertiary Education.

“This is very important because it requires you to bring your skills to bear in guiding the process to ensure that the transition is smooth and does not lack credibility and I have no doubt in mind that you possess the attributes to ensure that Colleges of Education enjoy smooth transition,” he said.

Citing Finland, Norway, Singapore and Taiwan as beneficiaries, he said the stringent selection process for teachers was consistent with high-quality learning outcomes that reflected through the international fora.

Prof. Yankah also added that for teachers to be recognised as professionals, it was imperative for them to be licensed in all levels of education to improve the educational sector.