The immediate past External Affairs President of the Christian Service University College, Mr. Daniel Ofori, has joined the Private Universities Students Association (PUSAG) of Ghana’s Presidential race.
According to the journalist who formerly worked for Cititv Accra and Light Fm in Kumasi, the association has been idle for almost a year without substantive leadership to steer its affairs.
He has therefore called on government to factor Private Universities in its policies and programmes to complement private tertiary education in Ghana.
After submitting his nomination form at the PUSAG Secretariat in Accra, Mr. Daniel Ofori, noted that public universities often have limited funding and resources, which may affect the quality of education and research programmes they can offer.
He further mentioned that Private institutions, however, may have the resources to invest in cutting-edge technology and research facilities, providing students with more opportunities to explore their academic interests.
According to the popularly known Commander Ofori, “addressing these disparities will require a comprehensive approach that involves both public and private institutions, as well as government policies and funding”.
“The goal should be to ensure that all students have access to quality education and equal opportunities to succeed. Affordability is another challenge since private universities are often more expensive than public universities, making it harder for lower-income students to attend. This can result in a lack of diversity in these institutions, limiting the opportunities for students from different backgrounds”.
On the other hand, Mr. Daniel Ofori, believes that the contest is not a do-and-die affair and whoever wins must be congratulated by the rest of the aspirants.
The Private Universities Students Association’s elections would be held on Saturday, August 12, at the Lake Side University in Accra.
1,277 candidates who took the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) again last month out of 7,728 candidates for teaching passed.
The percentage represents 16.5% of the applicants who retook the exam designed to certify teaching professionals.
All of the candidates had taken the exam at least twice, and some had taken it as many as nine times, according to a pre-release interview with the GTLE Registrar, Dr. Christian Addai-Poku.
Concerned about the high failure rate, Dr. Addai-Poku noted that individuals impacted had one more chance to retake the exam in the year’s final months before its structure and content altered.
The updated GTLE, also known as the Subject-based GTLE, would be launch later this year, he told the Daily Graphic, and those who failed once more would have to take it.
Beginning with new teacher candidates who would be taking the test for the first time.
Candidates who would fail at their final opportunity and desire to retake the exam would be those with a first degree, according to Dr. Addai-Poku. He added that “those with diploma will be required to upgrade themselves to acquire a first degree before they can retake the exam.”
“We are reforming and restructuring the examination, and we will start it this year with those who have qualified to write it for the first time,” the Dr Addai-Poku said.
In contrast to the existing exam, when applicants were tested on their literacy, numeracy, and professional abilities, he claimed that this time, they would be tested on a particular area of specialization.
Dr. Addai-Poku continued by saying that a candidate who desired to teach geography had to undergo an examination in geography in addition to the other three disciplines.
Section 9 of the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778) gives the NTC the authority to license and register teachers in Ghana and to enhance their professional standing.
In September 2018, the initial teacher licensure test was taken.
The examination’s goals are to help qualified teachers obtain a professional license and to draw outstanding young graduates from universities and institutions of education who possess the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes needed to work effectively in schools.
More than 800 Senior High and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are expected to participate in this year’s National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project competition dubbed ‘STEMMNNOVATION’.
The competition which would be launched on July 3rd will see all the participating schools locking horns with their creative potential in finding solutions to challenges confronting their immediate community or the country.
Currently, registration of the participating schools is ongoing in all regions across the country after which the regional contest would begin.
All the participants would be current beneficiaries of the Free Senior High Programme and would be challenged to develop STEM projects on topics in the areas of urban gardening, clean water and flexible use of electricity.
The Deputy Coordinator of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Secretariat, Miss Afra Sika Mensah, who disclosed this to the media on Friday was upbeat that the second edition of the event would be more competitive.
She indicated that after the official launching in Accra, the competition would begin with the various regions competing to select qualifiers to represent them at the finals to be held in September.
In a letter dated 26th May 2023 and signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Mamle Andrews, urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana TVET Service (GTVETS) to ensure that their institutions register and participate in the event.
The letter requested all Senior High and TVET institutions across the country to participate in the competition to help them to exhibit their skills and develop their competitive talents.
Background
Last year, a total of 200 schools submitted videos of their projects meant for the contest but only 97 of the schools qualified after going through vetting by the team of experts put together for that purpose.
The Kumasi Academy Senior High School won the maiden edition of the competition after scoring 24.6 points to beat Pope John Senior High and Seminary and the enterprising Worawora Senior High School with 24.4 and 23.8 points to place 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively.
For emerging winners, Kumasi Academy SHS took home a trophy, a laptop, a printer and a Gh12,000 cash prize.
Pope John Senior High and Seminary was presented with a plaque, a laptop, a printer and Gh7000 cash for emerging 1st runner-up while Worawora SHS took home a plaque, a laptop, a printer and Gh5000 cash.
Awards were also presented to 16 others as regional champions, overall best recycling project, overall best coding and programming project and overall best solar project.
Other awards went to the most popular project, overall best TVET school, most artistic STEMNNOVATION awards and best STEMNNOVATION award among others.
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It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education the tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday 13th June 2023, at Amansie Central in the Ashanti Region, where three innocent school children lost their lives in a devastating bus fire.
On behalf of the Ministry and the entire education community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the young victims.
The loss of any child is an immeasurable tragedy and this incident has shaken us to our core. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this unimaginably difficult time.
The Ministry of Education is committed to providing every possible support to the affected families, ensuring that they receive the care, counselling and assistance they need to cope with this devastating loss.
Once again, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragic incident. May the souls of the young ones rest in eternal peace, and may their families find strength and support in this difficult time.
A frantic effort is been made by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government to increase access to the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related courses at all levels of education in the country.
The Deputy Minister for Education in charge of General Education, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, who announced this mentioned some of the interventions being made as the Introduction of the Pre-Engineering programme, construction of several STEM institutions across the country and revamping of the study of STEM education among others.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour who was speaking at the launching of the 20th anniversary of the School of Engineering Sciences (SES) at the University of Ghana on Wednesday also mentioned the introduction of the study of Engineering, robotics and coding at the Senior High School level as well as the construction of several science laboratories as other measures being put in place to boost the teaching and learning of STEM-related in all schools.
The Deputy Minister who is a Mineral Engineer by profession challenged the School of Engineering Sciences to position itself for an increase in its intake for more Engineers Sciences students in their institution to help train more STEM graduates to support the development of the nation’s transformation agenda.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, was upbeat that should the state of transformation of STEM education continue for a couple of years, there is no way the country cannot have the required number of professionals to support the development of the nation’s economy.
He praised the founding members of the SES, the staff, management and all other partners who have contributed in diverse ways towards the feat chalked so far by the institution.
The Deputy Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin South pledged the Education Ministry’s preparedness towards deepening its relationship with the SES to help train more students to support the manpower needs of the country and the rest of the world.
The Dean of the SES, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, in her welcome address stated that the institution which started in 2003 with 31 students has now 1,246 students.
She was full of praise to all its students and industrial partners for their support towards the development of the institution.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in an address read for her pledged to continue creating an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.
She assured the nation of her readiness to put in place the right measures to ensure that their students received the best training so they could support the development of the nation’s economy.
As part of the year-long anniversary, several activities have been slated for different dates across the country by the SES.
The event was used to launch a programme of activities for the anniversary, the SES anthem and a logo as well as a ceremonial cloth to be used during the celebration.
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The Empower Playgrounds Inc.,a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) has handed over a 6-Unit classroom block and auxiliary
facilities to Mobia Community,a deprived community in the Sekyere KUMAWU district of Ashanti region.
Commissioning ceremony
The District Chief Executive(DCE) for Sekyere KUMAWU,Hon Samuel Addai Agyekum on Wednesday,14th June,2023 joined the founder of Empower Playgrounds Inc. Mr Ben Markham, the country Director, Mr Isaac Darko – Mensah to commission the 6 unit classroom block with auxiliary facilities at Mobia,a deprived community in Sekyere Kumawu District.
The front view of the classroom block
The Empower Playgrounds Inc. has already constructed 6 and 3 units classroom block with auxiliary facilities at Bahankra and Domaase all in Sekyere Kumawu District.
Hon.Samuel Addai Agyekum commended the founder and the country Director for adopting Sekyere Kumawu District as a destination for their investment in human lives especially life of the children for putting hope into their future.
The DCE promised to continue to be opened and partner the NGO to achieve more for the district as government alone can’t do it.
He also called on all stakeholders to ensure that the facility is maintained
According to him,some NGOs had been there but left but Empower Playgrounds Inc Loves them and stayed
The occasion was graced by Nananom from Besoro divisional council, staff from Social welfare Directorate, Education Directorate, and Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly.
Hon Samuel Addai Agyekum on behalf of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area,Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim,donated mono desk to the school and promised to do more for the them.
Source:TNTNEWSPAPERGH.COM
The Director General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, has debunked the notion that the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will soon take away the jobs of TVET graduates.
He explained that rather, the combination of AI and the skills of the artisans in the industry could bring about a new job creation, massive improvement in the development of every economy since the skills of the artisan in the creation and repair of certain equipment and products cannot be underestimated in every economy.
Dr Kyei Asamoah announced this on Friday at the trade profile sensitization workshop held in Accra.
The sensitization workshop organized by the CTVET in partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) was aimed at sensitizing the nation and all stakeholders in the TVET space on the TVET Trade Profile.
In attendance were Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana TVET Service (GTVET) Guidance and Counselling Coordinators from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Central and Western Regions.
Also present were Development Partners like German Development Agency (GIZ), Group Insight, AHK and Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) Ghana.
“Yes artificial intelligence can do many things but it cannot do what our artisans need to do. For instance, it cannot do the repairs and maintenance. Artificial intelligence can do so many things but people need skills to do so many other things”.
Dr Kyei Asamoah said.
Again he posited that “with internet and other technological advancement, skills training is still needed to augment the new development in the information and technology world to create more jobs and the only way we can do that is to have skills”.
Dr Kyei Asamoah, praised the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his support towards the revamping of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and TVET to boost the transformation of the nation’s economy.
The Director General urged all stakeholders in the nation’s education sector to support the effort being made to promote TVET education since it played a critical role towards the transformation of the nation’s economy since grammar education alone could not do so.
Dr Kyei Asamoah indicated that a change of mindset was required by all since society needed to support the growth and acceptance of TVET as the magic wand to change the fortunes of this nation.
He tasked guidance and counselling coordinators to go to Basic Schools to counsel pupils on prospects in the selection of TVET courses.
This, according to him would help them select courses they had an interest in or had a passion for so they could study it with much energy and excitement.
He tasked Guidance and Counsellors Coordinators in Schools to redouble their effort at changing the narrative with students and gave the assurance that things would soon change if all stakeholders played their roles to ensure that TVET becomes the mainstay of the nation’s economy.
The Director General announced that CTVET is currently piloting Guidance and Counselling in 100 district across the country for the next two years after which it would be reviewed before being rolled out to all schools.
The Head of Guidance and Career Counselling, Ghana TVETS, Madam Gifty Mensah, stated that career guidance was very critical in the training of students since it helped them to know the prospects available to him/her after their courses of study.
Again, she said, there was a need for Junior High School students to be assisted with career guidance before they select their courses and write the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The occasion was used to sensitize the Guidance and Counselling Coordinators and others the Trade Profiles of nine trade areas namely; Solar Power Technicians, Electrician, Electronics Technicians, Refrigeration and Air Condition Technician, Automotive Electrician, Automotive Mechanic, Architectural and Engineering Technicians, Information and Communication Technology ICT support and Welder and metal fabricators.
The trade profiles highlighted trade descriptions/work types, skills to be acquired, specialization in that trade and qualifications needed for such trade as well as where they could progress to going forward with that trade.
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The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has assured that measures are being put in place to prevent overcrowding at the various registration centres across the country, following the release of the postings of a total of 12,295 nurses.
The Scheme, on Saturday, June 10, released the postings for personnel who enrolled to undertake their one-year mandatory national service at various accredited health facilities across the country for the 2023/2024 service year.
Ahead of validation and registration, the acting director of corporate affairs at the Scheme, Ambrose Entsiwah Junior, indicated that plans have already been made to reduce traffic at various registration centres.
“I must say that with this number, we will not be expecting huge numbers at the registration centres, so there should not be any traffic. It is usually when we post the main service personnel from tertiary institutions, and we are talking about over 150,000 or so, that is when we sometimes have traffic, but with these numbers, it is not likely that we will have traffic at the various registration centres.”
Regional validation and registration will begin on Monday, June 12, 2023, and end on Friday, June 30, 2023, at all centres across the country.
Deployed nurses have also been directed to begin their mandatory national service on Monday, July 3, 2023, after the completion of their validation and registration process.Source:Citinewsroom.com
The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) on Saturday, June 10, 2023, released postings of a total of 12,295 nurses.
The postings cover personnel who enrolled to undertake their one-year mandatory national service at various accredited health facilities across the country for the 2023/2024 service year.
This was contained in a statement issued by the NSS on June 10.
“The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has…released postings of a total of TWELVE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE (12,295) nurses who enrolled to undertake their one-year mandatory national service at various accredited health facilities across the country for the 2023/2024 service year,” the NSS announced in its statement.
The NSS in its statement entreated deployed nurses to follow the validation and registration process by logging onto the Scheme’s website at www.nss.gov.gh to check for placement.
“All the deployed nurses are therefore required to follow the validation and registration process
as follows:
a. Log onto the Scheme’s website at www.nss.gov.gh to check for placement;
b. Print the appointment letter and proceed to the place of posting for endorsement of the
appointment letter”.
Regional validation and registration will begin on Monday, June 12, 2023, and end on Friday, June 30, 2023, at all centres across the country.
Deployed nurses have also been directed to begin their mandatory national service on Monday, July 3, 2023, after the completion of their validation and registration process.
“Regional validation and registration will begin on Monday, June 12, 2023, and end on Friday, June 30, 2023, at all centres across the country. Management further directs all deployed nurses to begin their mandatory national service on Monday, July 3, 2023, after completion of their validation and registration process,” NSS added.Source:Leticia Osei
The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS),has released PIN Codes for a total of 12,594 eligible final year Ghanaian Nursing Trainees from 107 accredited Nursing Training Institutions in the country to enable them enroll to do their national service for the 2023/2024 service year.
This was contained in a statement dated Friday,26th May,2023 and signed by Ambrose Entsiwah Jnr,AG.Director, Corporate Affairs.
The statement said all eligible final year Nursing Trainees are requested to log onto the Scheme’s website on www.nss.gov.gh, select the “Application” Menu, and use their Students’ ID or Index Numbers assigned by their institutions to obtain the unique NSS enrollment PIN Codes and then proceed to any branch of ADB Bank Ltd to make payment of Ghc 40.00 or through MTN Momo platform for Ghc 41.00 to activate the enrollment process.
Closing date for the registration according to the statement, is Friday, June 9,2023.
“Management therefore urges all eligible final year nursing trainees to ensure that they personally complete the enrollment process to avoid errors that may subsequently affect processing for their deployment.All eligible final year nursing trainees are advised to complete their enrollment before the deadline to avoid being left out of this year’s postings”,the statement added.Source:Isaac Amoah/tntnewspapergh.com
