Principal of the Tumu College of Education in the Upper West Region, Bertinus Adams Kaleo has declared zero tolerance for “Sex for grades” which is gaining notoriety in most tertiary institutions.
“As a college, we are consoled by the fact that the classes our students obtain are a true reflection of their performance attributable to the upholding of high moral standards by the college with students exhibiting a high sense of dedication, discipline and hard work under a very strict competitive academic environment with no semblance of sex for grades.”
He was addressing the college’s 4th Congregation, where 678 students graduated.
The theme was “Building Ghana through Education: The Role of Colleges of Education in a Pandemic.”
He lauded the introduction of the National Teachers Standards (NTS) saying, “An important novelty in the teacher education reforms is the introduction of the National Teachers Standards (NTS). Enshrined in the NTS among others is a set of standards applicable to all teachers and through it, teachers are expected to demonstrate good knowledge in the relevant subject and curriculum areas. Teachers will also be able to identify their own training needs and take responsibility for addressing them through lifelong learning. The tenets of the NTS have been infused into the teaching of all courses in the College.”
According to Mr. Bertinus Adam Kaleo, all tutors of the College are required to obtain MPhil certificates by the year 2022.
“For the effective implementation of the B. Ed programme, all tutors are expected to meet the basic minimum qualification of MPhil by the end of 2022. Worthy to note that, courtesy GETFund’s staff development facility and the Transition Support Fund, almost all tutors have obtained or are in the process of obtaining MPhil degrees.”
“A few others have obtained or in the process of obtaining terminal degrees. Some administrative staff have also enrolled in various 1st and 2nd-degree programmes to fall in line with their scheme of service.”
“The unfortunate thing though is the fact that, as we strive as colleges to help our staff upgrade, some universities are also on the war path poaching our tutors like no man’s business. To make matters worse, poaching of staff from GES and other bodies by colleges has become extremely difficult since most of us do not have financial clearance to recruit,” he bemoaned.
He acknowledged that, “Effective monitoring by management of academic and other curricular activities have proved to be a catalyst for the improved academic performance. Staff motivation of various forms is also an ingredient used to promote effective engagement between tutors and students.”
He made a passionate appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ease the restriction on sporting activities at the college, zonal and national levels.
“If there is any place that the COVID-19 restrictions are strictly adhered to at the tertiary level, it is on colleges of education campuses. I am convinced that we would be able to conduct our sporting activities at the college, zonal and national levels with strict compliance to all COVID-19 protocols.”