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Tumu, Ghana – Principal of the Tumu College of Education in the Upper West Region, Bertinus Adams Kaleo has declared zero tolerance for “Sex for grades” which is gaining notoriety in most tertiary institutions.
“As a College, we are consoled by the fact that the classes our students obtain are a true reflection of their performance attributable to the upholding of high moral standards by the College with students exhibiting a high sense of dedication, discipline and hard work under a very strict competitive academic environment with no semblance of “Sex for grades.”
He was addressing the College’s 4th Congregation, where six hundred and seventy-eight (678) students graduated.
The theme was “Building Ghana through Education: The Role of Colleges of Education in a Pandemic.”
He lauded the introduction of the National Teachers Standards (NTS) saying, “An important novelty in the teacher education reforms is the introduction of the National Teachers Standards (NTS). Enshrined in the NTS among others is a set of standards applicable to all teachers and through it, teachers are expected to demonstrate good knowledge in the relevant subject and curriculum areas. Teachers will also be able to identify their own training needs and take responsibility for addressing them through lifelong learning. The tenets of the NTS have been infused into the teaching of all courses in the College.”
According to Mr. Bertinus Adam Kaleo, all tutors of the College are required to obtain MPhil certificates by the year 2022.
“For the effective implementation of the B. Ed programme all tutors are expected to meet the basic minimum qualification of MPhil by the end of 2022. Worthy to note that, courtesy GETFUND’s Staff development facility and the Transition Support Fund, almost all tutors have obtained or are in the process of obtaining MPhil degrees.”
“A few others have obtained or in the process of obtaining terminal degrees. Some administrative staff have also enrolled in various 1st and 2nd degree programmes to fall in line with their scheme of service.”
“The unfortunate thing though is the fact that, as we strive as Colleges to help our staff upgrade, some Universities are also on the war path poaching our tutors like no man’s business. To make matters worse, poaching of staff from GES and other bodies by Colleges has become extremely difficult since most of us do not have financial clearance to recruit,” he bemoaned.
He acknowledged, “Effective monitoring by management of academic and other curricular activities have proved to be a catalyst for the improved academic performance. Staff motivation of various forms is also an ingredient used to promote effective engagement between tutors and students.”
He made a passionate appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo to ease the restriction on sporting activities at the College, Zonal and National levels.
“If there is any place that the COVID 19 restrictions are strictly adhered to at the tertiary level, it is on Colleges of Education campuses. I am convinced that we would be able to conduct our sporting activities at the College, Zonal and National levels with strict compliance to all COVID 19 protocols.”
“Another appeal to the President of the Republic and other stakeholders is that their choice of membership of Governing Councils of Colleges should reflect our new status as tertiary institutions.”
He enumerated the College’s myriad challenges as follows:
Technical and financial clearance for the recruitment of both academic and administrative staff as the current staffing situation is woefully inadequate. The current staff strength of 29 teaching and 26 non-teaching staff is not COVID 19 compliance.
Construction of lecture rooms and ICT/Science laboratories that are tertiary compliance. Most of the structures here were put up in the 1950s.
Continuation and completion of the pavement and phase 1of the fence wall. Construction of an administration block complex and staff bungalows/flats.
The creation and tarring of the internal road network. A 65-seater bus for the effective implementation of the STS and a cross country vehicle for official engagements since the maintenance cost of the over 10 years old patrol is too high.
A contemporary challenge to this College and many other Colleges is the use of Emergency Remote Teaching modules most of which require the use of ICT and internet. As a College we have been able to mount a mast to improve upon our internet service in and around the campus. This has its cost implications on our meagre IGF.
It is also worth noting some students find themselves in locations that are not internet compliance and the participation of such students in online engagements is a worrying phenomenon. Others lack the resources but thanks to TTEL for sourcing funds from Master Card Foundation to supply some students with smart phones at hugely subsidized prices. The Pandemic has also brought about all year-round engagement of staff since students now report to campus in phases. This calls for a lot of sacrifice on the part of staff.
He admonished the graduands to act as responsible citizens and not spectators. ‘My dear graduands, this ceremony marks a significant milestone in your career. It is a new era of accountability in the profession. Prove to the whole world that you were well trained and never got this far by default. I am convinced your training here has made you holistic individuals endowed with analytical minds, capable of examining issues critically with a high sense of logical reasoning.”
“Whatever you do hereafter should reflect this aspect of the vision for teacher education which is “…To instill in new teachers the Nation’s core values of honesty, integrity, creativity and responsible citizenship and to achieve inclusive, equitable, high quality education for all learners.”
“Be passionate and show a high level of commitment to your work with these four Ds as your guiding principles: Discipline, Determination, Dedication and Duty-consciousness.”
He commended sponsors including ADB- Tumu branch, GCB-Tumu branch, Galson Enterprise, Afrikids Ghana, Adamu Etuisie Enterprise, Afetisco Enterprise, Amalug Complex Enterprise, Faith farms, Konati Royal Ventures, Saha Home Touch Enterprise, Waller Micro System and Teni Monic Enterprise for their support.
Source: Abdallah Saha, contributor
