Authorities of the Mampong Technical College of Education, (MAMTECH), and the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW) have concluded the final signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which signifies the commencement of a collaboration between the two institutions.
The two will establish a developmental-oriented relationship that seeks to upgrade the training of quality technical teachers from the Mampong College of Education.
The agreement would also aid the College to go through a smooth transition into a tertiary status in due course.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Mawutor Avoke, in his welcome address, said the UEW is committed to partner all teacher training colleges in Ghana to ensure quality development in the sector.
He challenged the recent publication by the National Accreditation Board (NAB), claiming that a certain percentage of teachers in the tertiary education sector, are unqualified calling it factually inaccurate.
“What we actually said was that, as part of our efforts to build staff competencies and to ensure the professional growth and development of the colleges of education, some survey has pointed out that staff at the colleges did not have the MPhil to teach in those institution. It was not a generalized statement made for all teachers in the tertiary institutions; but strictly made in respect of the colleges of education. The publication was factually inaccurate” he noted.
He added that, the development has necessitated the need for affiliation so that some higher education institutions will enhance these colleges in terms of their capacities, saying this is critical in frame-work for professional development, growth and monitoring.
Prof. Avoke said the University of Education Winneba has the quality staff to augment teaching and learning in the colleges of education in Ghana.
“Winneba has the capacity to mentor as indeed any mentoring institution. The quality of our staff is also in doubt. This is not to downplay or belittle the calibre of teachers in the colleges of education.” he stated.
The Principal of Mampong College of Education, Rev. Dr. Victor Kwami Nyuieko Avotri, on his part said the agreement was important as the College moves ahead to associate itself with institutions that can help teachers to get better.
The Council Chairman of the Mampong Technical College of Education, Mr. Daniel Kwesi Adarkwa, expressed profound gratitude to the University of Education on behalf of the school authorities for the opportunity to affiliate the University, and was optimistic the other Colleges of Education would follow suit.
Mampong Technical College of Education established in 1927, is the only Technical College of education in Ghana.
It has produced a bulk of basic technical educators in Ghana since its inception.
Signing on behalf of the Mampong Technical College of Education was the principal, Rev. Dr. Victor Kwami Nyuieko Avotri, witnessed by the college secretary, Mr. Samuel Opoku.
Signing on behalf of UEW, was the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Avoke , witnessed by the registrar Akwaa Mensah.
The ceremony to sign the MOU in the University of Education’s council chamber was attended by Prof. Mawutor Avoke (VC, UEW), Rv. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni (Pro-VC, UEW), Dr. C.Y. Akwaa-Mensah (Registrar, UEW) Prof. George Kamkam (Chairman of Affiliation Committee,UEW), Prof. Mohamed Salifu (Executive Secretary of NCTE).
The rest are; Mr. Daniel Kwesi Adarkwa (Council Chairman of MAMTECH), Rev. Dr. Victor Kwami Nyuieko Avotri (Principal MAMTECH) and Mr. Samuel Opoku (College Secretary of MAMTECH).
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By: Akwesi Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana