Kumasi (Greater Accra Region), 16Nov. 1998 -

Only 2296 out of a total of 6,248 qualified applicants who sat for the entrance examination for admission into the University College of Education, Winneba (UCEW), gained admission. They will pursue various courses at the certificate, diploma, post-diploma and post graduate levels. Of the number, the Kumasi campus took 717, Winneba admitted 1,451 while the Asante-Mampong Campus enrolled 128. Professor J. Anamuah-Mensah, Principal of UCEW said this at the third matriculation of the Kumasi campus of the university in Kumasi on Saturday. Professor Anamuah-Mensah said the university has established a technical skills centre at Winneba to facilitate the training of teachers for the basic Teacher Training Colleges. The first batch of students have been admitted for a two-year Bachelor of Education (Bed) degree programme in technical skills at the centre. Professor Anamuah-Mensah said that in due course most of the diploma courses offered at the college will be turned into distance education courses. He hoped that those who may not gain admission will avail themselves of the opportunity to upgrade themselves. The Principal said the academic board of the university has approved a new student grading system which will take effect from this academic year. With the new system, fresh students will not write mid- semester examination as continuing students do as part of their continuous assessment, he said. The Principal expressed concern about the high cost of electricity bills at the various campuses of the university as a result of the use of various electrical gadgets by the students. He said for instance that Winneba alone owes about 70 million cedis while Mampong owes about 40 million cedis and Kumasi about 50 million cedis adding that the university will be compelled to make the halls of residence to pay for their own bills if the trend continues