Regional News of Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Source: GNA

College of Technology Education holds matriculation

Kumasi, July 16, GNA - The College of Technology Education in Kumasi at the weekend held a matriculation ceremony for the 1187 students it admitted this year.

This year's figure, which comprised of 815 males and 367 females, was slightly higher than that of last year.

The ceremony was for both fresh students of Diploma in Education programme by sandwich in the college of Technology Education and the College of Agriculture Education in Kumasi.

Prof Akwasi Asabre Ameyaw, Vice-Chancellor (VC), University of Education Winneba, said that the Mampong campus of the University also admitted all its 206 applicants. He said the students would be trained to develop skills in professional decision-making and capacities for reflective learning and self-evaluation.

"They would also develop professional attitudes and qualities of adaptability and sensitivity to the school and the students they will teach", he said. Prof Asabre-Ameyaw also indicated that the new entrants would also develop understanding for children and young people, and skills required to respond appropriately to their needs, interests and capacities. He said the University has a mission to serve as a centre of excellence, which will inculcate in its products the requisite academic proficiency and professional competence. The University, he added, also inculcated in its student humanistic values for teaching and the production of instructional materials and dissemination of relevant knowledge and skills at the pre-university levels of education with special reference to basic and teacher training.

Prof Asabre-Ameyaw said the university shall specialize in the conduct of action research and the development of instructional materials.

He announced that they were currently in the process of introducing additional distance learning programmes to cater for working people, desirous of acquiring higher education.

"The quality of teaching irrespective of the resources available is determined by teacher quality and UCEW is conscious of this," he said. The V.C urged teachers to be responsible for producing an enabling environment for learners to effectively learn, by enriching the national curricula, using the appropriate text books and resources. Prof Asabre-Ameyaw also advised teachers to update themselves so that they would be relevant in the educational enterprise. Prof Steve Sobotie, Principal of the College of Technology Education, urged students to avoid offensive dressing and promiscuous lifestyles, as well, as alcoholism and other forms of drug abuse. He advised the students to study hard and avoid cheating in examinations.

Prof Sobotie also made an appeal to all persons, who desired quality in the educational system, to help the University develop its land to ensure effective teaching and learning.