The Most Rev. Dr. Paul Bemile, Bishop of the Wa Diocese of the Catholic Church has called for the training of more teachers to fill vacancies in the classroom to enhance quality education delivery in the country.

He stated that the lack of adequate professional teachers was a major contributing factor in the recent fallen standards of education in the country and called on the private sector to partner government in the training of more teachers to improve the quality of education.

The Most Rev. Dr. Bemile made the call when he joined Mr. Abu Kansangbata, Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE) to cut the sod for the construction of facilities, for a new College of Education at Nadowli in the Upper West Region.

The establishment of the College of Education at Nadowli is an initiative of the Wa Catholic Diocese and is being supported by the Nadowli District Assembly.

The sod was cut for the construction of a 3-Unit classroom block and a 100 bed capacity hostel each for boys and girls, at a total cost of GH¢335,873.53 from the District Development Fund (DDF).

The projects which are being executed by three different contractors are expected to be completed in five months time.

The Most Rev. Bemile said the idea to establish the College of Education at Nadowli was conceived three years ago, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the DCE and the Assembly for helping to bring the idea into fruition.

He said the college would be known as the McCoy College of Education when completed.

It would have the Catholic character but would be open to members of the general public.

Mr. Kansangbata thanked the Bishop and the Catholic Church for their passion for quality education.

He pointed out that, quality education was a cornerstone of President Mills’ “Better Ghana Agenda” and therefore any effort geared towards improving on quality education delivery would not only be welcome but would also be given the necessary support.

He advocated for a quota to be given to students from Nadowli District to motivate the people of the district to show true ownership of the school.

Madam Mary-Grace Bonye, Nadowli District Director of Education said, the lack of adequate trained teachers in the district was very disturbing.

She said some Primary Schools in the District were being headed by untrained personnel engaged under the National Youth Employment Programme.

She hoped the school when completed would help train more professional teachers for the classroom to address the situation.

In another development, Mr. Kansangbata also cut sod for the construction of a mini administration block and a three bedroom bungalow at a total cost of GH¢211,187.65 at Issa in the newly-created Daffiama-Busie-Issa District.

The DCE said the construction of the facilities was to facilitate the smooth take-off of the District when the Legislative Instrument (LI) under which the district had been created was finally passed.**