Reverend Sister Elizabeth Amoako-Arhen, the Principal of the Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) College of Education, has said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Programmes would soon be introduced in the College.

She said this during the 8th congregation ceremony of the College in Cape Coast.

The ceremony, under the theme: “Transforming Teacher Education For Better Service to the Nation”, was attended by Heads of Colleges of Education, traditional authorities and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Reverend Matthias Kobina Nketsiah.

In all, 275 students were awarded with Diploma in General Social Science, Early Childhood Education and Science and Mathematics Education.

Out of the number, six graduated with First Class Honours, 117 Second Class Upper Division, 123 Second Class Lower Division and 28 Third Class.

Rev Sister Amoako-Arhen said currently, the College offered courses in Early Childhood Education, Science and Mathematics Education and General Social science programmes, with elective courses in Literature-in-English, catering, sewing, art education, Music and Dance, Physical Education, Religious and Moral as well as agricultural Science.

She appealed to government for assistance to expand and upgrade their facilities saying “we cannot fulfill our mission and vision of preparing quality teachers for the 21st century classroom without the needed support from government”.

Rev Sister Amoako-Arhen said the nation was in urgent need of selfless, dedicated, visionary, result-driven, God-fearing and ethical teachers and urged the graduates to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.

Professor Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, Dean, Faculty of Arts of the University of Cape Coast, said trained teachers must be confident in discharging their duties, adding that, this means the teacher education programmes must be geared to meet the needs of the country.

Dr Ato Essuman, the Former Chief Director of the Ghana Education Service, called for policies and strategies that would strengthen teacher education in the country.

He said the building of a high-quality educational system, relevant to the 21st century has become a top priority for most governments, adding that, there was need to transform teacher education in the country and that would require innovative pathways.

OLA College of Education is the premier Women’s Teacher College in Ghana and the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa. It was established by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA Sisters), a Catholic Missionary Order in 1924.