Tamale College of Education records significant progress in infrastructural development - Principal

Tamale, Dec 17 - Tamale College of Education (TACE) has recorded significant progress in infrastructural development as stalled projects have begun receiving attention to address the needs of students.

Professor Sulemana Iddrisu, Principal of TACE, who announced this during the College’s 11th congregation, held in Tamale over the weekend, said “In the area of infrastructure, the College has recorded significant progress. An ongoing two-storey girls’ dormitory block is steadily advancing to address accommodation challenges faced by our female students.”

He said “In addition, a 300-bed hostel project, originally awarded in 2022 but which stalled, has now resumed at an accelerated pace following its re-award by the current government.”

He added that “Furthermore, a three-storey lecture hall block, initially awarded in 2017 but halted, has also been re-awarded, with construction works set to recommence. Collectively, these facilities will significantly enhance student welfare, safety and residential learning conditions on campus.”

He said “The College community is delighted that the long-abandoned Administration Block project has been re-awarded for full completion.

When completed, this facility will greatly enhance administrative coordination, efficiency and service delivery. It will also provide a befitting working environment for our central administrative operations.”

Professor Iddrisu added that “We are equally proud to announce that the renovation and refurbishment of the Catering Department is now 100% complete and fully operational. The department is now equipped with modern laboratory and upgraded practical facilities providing students with state-of-the-art learning environments.”

He said the facility had elevated the status of the College’s catering and hospitality training and strengthened the practical orientation of its academic programmes.

A total of 697 students comprising the the four-year 2023/2024 Bachelor of Education (Junior High School) batch and the four-year 2023/2024 Bachelor of Education (Primary School) batch, graduated during the congregation.

Out of the figure, 361 were males while 336 were females, and 401 graduated with first class honours, 286 had second class upper division and 10 had second class lower division.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of sister Colleges of Education, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University for Development Studies, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, corporate bodies, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, parents and guardians amongst others.

Professor Iddrisu said “This unprecedented academic performance is historic and reflects the high standards maintained by this College.”

He said the “College has invested a substantial sum of GHc245,527.52 in various staff development initiatives. This investment has supported postgraduate training, professional certification, pedagogical workshops, digital instruction training, research capacity development and leadership programmes.”

He said “These interventions are strengthening instructional quality and ensuring that our lecturers and support staff remain competitive, innovative and responsive to the demands of modern education.”

He said “We currently have seven PhD holders and eight more are at advanced stages of their PhD Programmes. This is expected to increase the number of PhD holders to 15 by the end of next year.”

Professor Iddrisu said “In line with our digital transformation agenda, the College in 2019 secured funding from the Commonwealth of Learning to upgrade the skills of in-service teachers through Open Distance Learning programmes. I am happy to announce that the College will pilot this programme this December, 2025.”

He advised the graduands to be ambassadors of ethical artificial intelligence use, digital integrity, professional discipline and lifelong learning.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education appealed to members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana, who have been on strike since November 24, to call off the strike and restore academic normalcy as government was working to address all of their concerns.

He said the government was considering constructing the first distance education laboratory at the TACE to enhance teaching and learning.

He advised the graduands to keep the name and reputation of the College high and make the College and themselves proud in their various communities.

Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister assured of government’s commitment to ensuring quality education in the country.

The congregation ceremony was also used to honour Mrs Margaret Andah, an 80 year-old woman, who served TACE for nine years in the 1970s to 1980s, and became a Principal during the period, in recognition of her dedicated service to the College.