Bechem (B/A), June 14, GNA - The Minister of Education, Alex Tettey-

Enyo at the weekend announced that the government has allocated GHC 450,0 00 to St. Joseph's College of Education at Bechem, for its take-off as a tertiary institution. He gave the promise that the government would do all that it could t o continue with the supply of basic infrastructure, to make the college's transition a reality. This was contained in a speech read for him by Mr. Victor Kofi Mante , Director of Teacher Education Division, at the second graduation and awar ds ceremony of the College. The theme for the ceremony was "Infrastructural Development: A prerequisite for Quality Tertiary Education". The College presented diplomas in basic education to deserving graduands and honoured four personalities with awards for their sterling contributions to the development of the college. They were Nana Fosu Gyrator Kato II, Monahan of Bechem Traditional Area, Bishop Peter K Outshine of the Catholic Diocese of Goes, Monsignor Matthew Addax, College chaplain and Mr. Tony Atwereboandah, who composed the college's anthem. Mr. Tettey Enyo said that the theme was most appropriate, saying th e time was ripe for the College, which was on the threshold of tertiary take-off, to get the basic infrastructure needed to fulfil the dream. He said the government in sharing in the theme, made provision to upgrade the infrastructure in all 38 colleges of education in the country , to be in tune with the policy of upgrading to the tertiary status.

Mr. Tettey Enyo mentioned the provision of vehicles to all the 30 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 ICT centres had also begun wi th the supply of computers and the government would assist in the provision of bungalows to attract more qualified staff, as well as workshops for effective delivery of technical education. The Education Minister commended development partners for their contributions, including the supply of equipment and facilities to the College, to complement the government's efforts at providing the needed infrastructure for quality tertiary education. Mr. Tettey-Enyo congratulated the graduands and advised them to maintain the high level of discipline, hard work and sacrifice. He urged them to accept postings to the rural areas to enable the people to have the benefit of quality basic education as stakeholders in the government's Better Ghana Agenda. Mr. Anthony Agyemang, acting Principal of the College, expressed gratitude to the government for the provision of certain facilities at th e institution through the GETFund, as well as other development partners, b ut said 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 trainin g of thousands of teachers most of whom have distinguished themselves in public service".