Bechem (B/A) June 13, GNA - The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo at the weekend announced that government has allocated GHc 450,000 to St. Joseph's College of Education at Bechem, to facilitate its transformation as a tertiary institution. He said government would sustain its assistance to the school to ensure that it gets its basic infrastructure.

Mr Tettey Enyo made this known in a speech read on his behalf, at the second graduation and awards ceremony of the College, which was on the theme: "Infrastructural Development: A prerequisite for Quality Tertiary Education."

The College presented diplomas in basic education to deserving graduates and honoured four personalities for their sterling contributions to the development of the college.

They are Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto 11, Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area, Bishop Peter K Atuahene of the Catholic Diocese of Goaso, Monsignor Matthew Addai, College chaplain and Mr Tony Atwereboandah, who composed the college's anthem.

Mr Tettey Enyo noted that the theme was most appropriate, saying the time was ripe for the College, which was on the threshold of taking- off as a tertiary facility, hence the need to get the basic infrastructure needed to fulfil the dream. He said government was empathetic to the theme and for this reason had made provision to upgrade all the 38 colleges of education to tertiary status.

Mr Tettey Enyo said vehicles have been made available to the colleges to facilitate safe field work and cluster meetings, as well as libraries, science laboratories, auditorium and classrooms. He said the processes for the promised Information, Communication and Technology centres had also begun with the supply of computers. The Education Minister said government would assist the academic facilities in the provision of bungalows to attract more qualified staff, as well as workshops for effective delivery of technical education. Mr Tettey Enyo commended the country's development partners for their contribution towards the pursuit of education, such as the supply of equipment and facilities to the College.

He congratulated the graduates and advised them to maintain the high level of discipline, hard work and sacrifice. The Minister urged them to accept postings to the rural areas to serve as stakeholders to the Better Ghana Agenda and expose the people to basic quality education.

Mr Anthony Agyemang, Acting Principal of the College, expressed gratitude to the government for the provision of academic facilities at the institution through the Ghana Education Trust Fund. He also commended development partners for their support. Mr Agyemang however noted that a lot more needed to be done by way of infrastructural development. He saluted the founding fathers of the College "whose vision of providing Holistic Catholic Teacher Education has resulted in the training of thousands of teachers most of whom have distinguished themselves in public service."