Two hundred and forty-four (244) teachers graduated from Bagabaga College of Education at the weekend, after successfully undergoing a three-year training in pedagogy.

Alhaji Adam Zakaria, Principal of the College, appealed to the government to improve the infrastructural facilities of the college to enable it admit more students to pursue their dream of becoming teachers.

He noted that the college has over the years produced prominent citizens who have served the nation in various capacities yet its facilities were a shadow of itself.

Alhaji Zakaria mentioned Ghana’s President in the Third Republic, Dr. Hilla Limann and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Mr. Inusah Fuseini as some past students of the college.

He said in spite of this enviable record, the school which was established in 1944 lacks an auditorium and assembly hall and expressed worry that out of the more than 860 students on campus, only 205 were females, a situation he said does not auger well for gender parity in the teaching profession.

He observed that, the situation is unacceptable and urged more female students in Senior High Schools to study harder and develop interest in the profession to change the status quo.

Alhaji Zakaria expressed gratitude to government for quadrupling the fuel allowance of college teachers as well as increasing the allowance of teacher trainees.

The Chairman of the Interim Council of the College, Alhaji Dr. Yahuza Gomda, commended government for passing the College of Education bill but made an appeal to government to gazette the bill to make it effective.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, expressed government’s commitment to education noting that, the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure in the midst of the difficult economic situation is a clear indication of the commitment.

He urged the students to be committed to their profession and asked the newly trained teachers to make an effort to educate their less informed relatives to understand that elections are not about violence, but rather an opportunity to choose leaders who can better their lives.**