Government is expanding and equipping science laboratories in tertiary institutions, to make the teaching and learning of science and technology more practical and attractive.

President John Dramani Mahama said this in an address read on his behalf at the 20th Congregation (April Session) of the Distance Education, Southern Sector of the University of Education Winneba, at the weekend.

A total of 1,316 from the Southern Sector from the Centre for Distance Education of the Institute of Educational Development and Extension of the University’s Study centres graduated.

This was made up of 1,248 degree and 68 diplomas.

President Mahama said expansion and renovation works on existing infrastructure is being carried out in the 38 public colleges of education, adding that government’s vision of providing a public university in very region is one course.

He said a number of intervention such as the removal of all schools under trees, provision of free textbooks, sandals and school uniforms to pupils and the progressively free secondary education initiated by the government is ongoing.

President Mahama said the School Feeding Programme started by the erstwhile President Kufuor’s government continue to receive support and funding from the government.

The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Mawutor Avoke said by the end of the April session of the 20th congregation, UEW would have witnessed the graduation of a total of 16,217 students for the 2014/2015 academic year.

He said this represents three per cent increase over the number of students graduated during the 19th congregation for the 2013/2014 academic year.

Prof Avoke said UEW continues to make strides in its efforts at becoming one of the best teacher education institutions in Africa and beyond.

He said the quest to promote research and scholarship, the University had instituted two key schemes namely the UEW Research, Innovation and Staff Development Fund and the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund for Brilliant but Needy Students.

The University has signed an agreement with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and the Jiangsu University also in China to sponsor its staff for doctoral studies.