The Principal of Accra College of Education (ACCE) Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono has disclosed that, the 2024 total intake of Teacher Trainees increased marginally compared to 2023 admission of Three Hundred and Twenty-One (321) applicants.
“The increase is largely due to the implementation of the new IN-IN-IN OUT residential policy in all the 46 Public Colleges of Education for the 2023/2024 academic year. Although we would have liked to admit more students, we are constrained by the limited hostel facilities to accommodate all our students.
It is refreshing to note that the construction of our new hostel facility is about 70% complete and confident that it will be completed this year to ease our accommodation problem”.
The Principal made this known when speaking at the College’s 6th Matriculation ceremony of the 4-year B. ED students.
He emphasized that, it is mandatory for every student admitted into the College to partake in the matriculation oath to express their unwavering dedication to adhere to the rules, regulations, and policies governing the College throughout their academic journey.
“The success of the College in realizing its vision to become an institution of excellence in teacher education in Ghana and beyond hinges upon the collaborative effort of both students and staff”.
Prof. Awinkene Atintono urged the fresh students to approach their studies with academic curiosity, recognizing that their commitment and diligence are pivotal in shaping their future as professional teachers and responsible citizens.
The Colleges of Education in Ghana according to Prof. Awinkene, are the only Tertiary institutions running the online Centralized Admissions Portal (CAPS) which allows potential applicants to buy only one application form with the privilege of choosing first, second and third choice Colleges.
“Based on the CAPS system, a total of 4,471 applied to the college made up of One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty (1,620) first choice applicants, 1331 second choice applicants and 1520 were third choice applicants. Among the first choice applicants, One Hundred and Eighteen (118) applied for the Early Childhood program, Three Hundred and Thirty-Four (334) for the Primary Education program, and One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty-Eight (1,168) opted for the Junior High Education program but due to constraints posed by our limited infrastructure and the rigorous nature of our admission process, we were able to admit only Three Hundred and Fifty-Seven (351) qualified applicants.
Among the admitted students, One Hundred and Forty-Three (144) are males, comprising 40%, while Two Hundred and Ten (207) are females, constituting 60% of the total”.
Prof. Atintono revealed that, the greatest men College this year intentionally increased the number of female admissions to align with the school gender parity target of 50:50. “Over the past four years, we have witnessed a progression towards gender balance, achieving ratios of 58:42, 54:46, 47:53, and 43:57 successively, with this year marking a significant milestone as we achieved a 40:60 ratio, gender parity ahead of schedule, in line with our strategic plan objectives”.
The College he mentioned, is among the six Colleges of Education affiliated to the University of Ghana, Legon added that, the affiliation agreement which was initially signed in October 2019 establishes a framework where the University of Ghana provides academic oversight and mentorship to ensure strict adherence to quality standards in the preparation of teacher trainees.
“These standards are aligned with benchmarks set by the National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework (NTECF) and the National Teaching Standards (NTS). Consequently, upon completion of your studies, you will be awarded your Bachelor of Education degree by the University of Ghana. The initial affiliation expired by December 2023 and it has since been renewed for a further 4 years. We are enthusiastic about this affiliation as it aligns perfectly with our vision of becoming a center of excellence. We are fully committed to achieving excellence as our programs harmonize seamlessly with those of the University, setting a solid foundation for the future.
He averred that, those pursuing Early Grade, a center has been made available to enhance practical learning. “This center is as a result of a collaboration with Sabre Education, an international NGO with vast experience in Early grade education”.
The construction of 300-bed capacity hostel is about 70% complete.
“Through the initiative of the SRC, a partnership has been established with Zoomlion and recently launched the Green Champions programme with the aim of achieving a zero waste on campus” .
He entreated Trainees to uphold the values and principles of academic excellence of Accra College of Education. “Let the motto Gye Nyame serve as your guiding light, instilling in you a sense of purpose and direction in all your pursuits. Together, let us elevate the banner of our beloved Institution, striving for excellence in all aspects of your academic and personal endeavors”.
The College Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono stated, places a strong emphasis on discipline and would pledged to enforce its rules without hesitation when necessary. “Each student is expected to have a copy of our Students’ Handbook, a crucial resource containing the code of conduct and essential information about the College’s programs. I strongly urge you to thoroughly read the handbook to avoid any potential issues. In recent years, the College has been compelled to suspend three students, ranging from one to two years, due to offenses including assault of staff, theft, and sexual harassment. As a training ground for future educators who are expected to serve as role models, the College cannot tolerate any forms of indiscipline. Despite the challenges we face, the College is committed to supporting your success. Notably, efforts have been made to enhance the campus’s academic facilities in recent times to facilitate teaching and nlearning”.
