Training Colleges asked to integrate ICT in curricula

The need to integrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) training in the curricula of Colleges of Education  was emphasized at the launch of the 90th anniversary celebration of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) College of Education in Cape Coast.

Dr. Sally Essuman, Head, Centre for Teacher Development and Action Research, University of Education, Winneba, who gave the admonition, said ICT would be instrumental in improving teacher education and enrich the pedagogical practices.

The ceremony on the theme: “90 years of Quality Teacher  Education”, was attended by a large gathering, including chiefs, queen mothers, heads of colleges of education, and Executive Secretaries of the National Council For Tertiary Education (NCTE).

Dr Essuman noted that ICT as well as distance and virtual learning could be effective tools to bridge the gaps in teacher supply and quality, to achieve the goal four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is on education.

She said society was dynamic and it was appropriate to prepare teachers with diverse skills, attitudes, interest and values in the learning environment to be able face the challenges of the dynamic society.

Dr. Essuman called for policies and strategies to be put in place to attract quality candidates into the teaching profession and ensure financial incentives for students who opt for science and mathematics programmes.

Reverend Sister Elizabeth Amoako-Arhen, the Principal of OLA College of Education, said education held the key to success and development of individuals, communities and nations and therefore issues affecting it must be handled objectively devoid of politics.

She said the College, currently 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.

Rev Sister Amoako-Arhen said the nation needed selfless, dedicated, visionary, result-driven, God-fearing and ethical teachers and advised the graduands to work diligently to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.


She said the College would continue to work hard to ensure that graduate teachers from the College exhibited high standards of intellectual and psychological maturity and demonstrated commitment and competencies required to improve the quality of education at the Basic Schools.

She appealed to government for assistance to expand and upgrade their facilities of the Colleges of Education to meet the demands of contemporary society.

In all, 266 students were awarded with Diploma in General Social Science, Early Childhood Education and Science and Mathematics Education.

Out of the number, seven graduated with First Class Honours, 112 Second Class Upper Division, 116 Second Class Lower Division, 30 Third Class and one Pass

GNA