Professor Francis K. Amedahe, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Cape Coast, has announced that the Faculty had developed Master of Philosophy sandwich programmes for tutors of the Colleges of Education.
He said the programmes, which is awaiting the approval of the Academic Board of the UCC, is tailored to courses being offered at the Colleges of Education to upgrade their academic standing.
Prof. Amedahe announced this at the Third Congregation of 226 regular and 675 sandwich Diploma in Basic Education (DBE) students of the Saint Francis College of Education, at Hohoe, at the weekend.
It was under the theme, "Teacher Education In Ghana: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward."
He said the programmes, if approved, would start from next academic year and urged such tutors to utilise the opportunity.
Prof. Amedahe noted that the lack of a Teaching Council, which should by approved by the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service, was a drawback to promoting quality teacher education.
He recommended that making induction and professional development integral part of teacher education would engender best practices, induce
innovation in pedagogy and the content of materials.
"Lack of meaningful induction for fresh teachers marks the genesis of their frustration in the service," Prof Amedahe added.
He noted that when professional development was done systematically, teacher quality would improve and hopefully reflect in the results of the schools.
Prof. Amedahe urged the private sector to join hands with the government to expand infrastructural facilities in the Colleges of
Education.