The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has matriculated 358 students into the Special Postgraduate Diploma in Education (SPGDE) programme at Kibi Presbyterian College of Education in the Eastern Region.
The Special Postgraduate Diploma in Education, which is being run by the Centre for Teacher Professional Development (CTPD) under the College of Education, UCC in collaboration with the National Teaching Council (NTC) and with support from Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL), aims to equip graduate teachers with professional pedagogical competencies and enhance teaching standards across the country.
The matriculation ceremony formally inducted the students into the University community, granting them the rights, responsibilities and privileges associated with their status as postgraduate students of the University of Cape Coast.
The College Registrar, College of Education Studies, Ms. Millan Ahema Tawiah, administered the matriculation oath to the students on behalf of the Registrar and Provost of the College, Prof. Douglas Darko Agyei, matriculated them on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Addressing the matriculants, Prof. Douglas Darko Agyei, welcomed the students on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor and the University community. He explained that the SPGDE programme had been designed to address a critical national need by providing graduate teachers without pedagogical training with a recognised professional teaching qualification.
“The SPGDE programme has been designed to address a critical national need by providing graduate teachers without pedagogical training with a recognised professional teaching qualification,” he stated.
Prof. Agyei noted that the programme would equip participants with practical teaching skills, modern instructional approaches and effective classroom management techniques while ensuring that they meet the professional standards required by the National Teaching Council for teacher licensing and professional practice. He added that the programme would also prepare teachers to support Ghana’s educational reforms through competency-based, learner-centred and inclusive instruction.
He encouraged the students to take full advantage of UCC’s academic resources, experienced faculty and supportive learning environment to develop the knowledge, skills and values required to excel as professional educators.
“Take full advantage of UCC’s academic resources, experienced faculty and supportive learning environment to develop the knowledge, skills and values required to excel as professional educators. As teachers, you are nation builders, mentors, role models and agents of positive change,” he advised.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Teaching Council, Mr. Kwame Alorvi, commended the University of Cape Coast for responding positively to the national call to strengthen teacher professionalism through innovative training programmes.
“I commend the University of Cape Coast for responding positively to the national call to strengthen teacher professionalism through innovative training programmes,” he said. Mr. Alorvi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Director of CTPD, Dr. Bernard Yaw Sekyi Acquah, for his instrumental role in making the programme a success.
Mr. Alorvi disclosed that five public universities had been selected to offer the Special Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme to enable graduate teachers to obtain professional qualifications and meet licensing requirements. He noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to raise standards within the teaching profession and improve educational outcomes nationwide.
He indicated that approximately 12,000 graduate teachers in the country were yet to obtain professional certification and described the programme as a significant intervention to address the challenge.
Describing the teaching profession as the pinnacle of educational innovation, pedagogical knowledge and professional practice, Mr. Alorvi urged the students to become catalysts for transformation in their schools and communities. He reminded them that they had chosen a profession where success would be measured not by financial rewards alone but by the lives they would influence and transform.
“ You have chosen a profession where success will be measured by the lives you influence and transform, so be catalysts for positive change in your schools and communities,” he urged.
Mr. Alorvi expressed confidence in UCC’s faculty and academic structures to provide the necessary support for the students to succeed and complete the programme successfully.
He further announced that teachers who were employed before 2018 would be exempted from certain certification requirements under existing policy provisions. He also revealed that admissions would be opened in September for the next cohort of participants.
The NTC Chairman encouraged the matriculants to embrace lifelong learning, maintain professional integrity and demonstrate ethical conduct throughout their careers in order to make meaningful and lasting impacts on Ghana’s educational landscape.
