St. Monica’s College of Education, a renowned institution located in Mampong, proudly held its 14th Congregation, marking a significant milestone in the academic journey of its students. The joyous occasion witnessed the graduation of a total of 405 students, who successfully completed their respective programs of study.

In his address to the congregation, Ven. Dr. David Okyere Korankye, the esteemed Principal of St. Monica’s College of Education, expressed his delight and satisfaction with the remarkable academic achievements of the graduating class.

He proudly highlighted that the percentage of students who successfully passed in all subjects witnessed a significant improvement, rising from 80.8 percent in the previous year to an impressive 90.6 percent in 2023.

Dr. Korankye emphasized that this notable increase in the overall performance of the students is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the high-quality education provided by the college. He commended both the faculty and the students for their relentless efforts in pursuit of academic excellence.

Additionally, the Principal, Ven. Dr. David Okyere Korankye, provided detailed statistics regarding the graduation outcomes of the 405 students who successfully met the requirements for graduation. Out of the total number of students presented for examination, which was 427, an impressive 412 students fulfilled all the necessary graduation criteria.

Among the graduating class, there were notable achievements in terms of academic distinctions. A remarkable 16 students, accounting for 3.9 percent of the total graduands, attained First Class honors, marking the highest number of students to achieve this distinction in the history of the college.

Furthermore, 174 students, constituting 42.2 percent, achieved Second Class Upper honors, while another 174 students, also representing 42.2 percent, attained Second Class Lower honors. Additionally, 48 students, making up 11.7 percent, were awarded Third Class honors, while none of the students received a failing grade.

Moreover, the Principal, Ven. Dr. David Okyere Korankye, highlighted the challenges faced by the college due to the increased demand for quality education. The growing number of students has placed significant pressure on the existing staff, necessitating the need to enhance the delivery of quality education.

In response to this, the college’s management has taken proactive steps to secure the necessary financial clearance for recruiting additional qualified staff members. This measure aims to ensure that students receive the best possible education and support.

Ven. Dr. Korankye also shared information about the admissions process for the current academic year. The college received a total of 1,063 applications from prospective applicants. After a rigorous selection process, 310 students were granted admission to pursue various courses in the 4-Year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program. This number represents a reduction of approximately 38% compared to the regular admission intake. The breakdown of the admitted students by specialization was as follows: Early Childhood Education (67 students), Primary Education (93 students), Languages (43 students), Mathematics & ICT (11 students), Home Economics (52 students), and Social/RME (44 students).

In addition, Ven. Dr. David Okyere Korankye mentioned that the college has introduced a new program to meet the evolving needs of the education sector. The new elective course being offered is Mathematics and ICT (Information and Communication Technology).

This program aims to equip students with essential skills and knowledge in these fields, which are increasingly important in today’s digital age.

“As part of our intention to participate in the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education agenda of the country and to develop confidence of the female teacher in the teaching and specialising in the STEM Courses, the Academic Board has introduced Mathematics and ICT as one of the specialized courses of the JHS Programme. Eleven (11) Level 100 students were offered admission to pursue Mathematics and ICT as an elective course,” he added.

During her address at the program, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, the guest speaker representing the Minister of Education, shared some positive news regarding the government’s support for education. She revealed that the government has fulfilled its commitment by disbursing an amount of 32 million Ghana cedis as books and research allowances to senior lecturers.

This initiative aims to empower lecturers to engage in impactful research and contribute to knowledge generation in their respective fields.

Prof. Dzakadzie also highlighted that the government has prioritized the welfare of students by disbursing students’ allowances. This financial support provides students with the necessary resources to pursue their education without undue financial burden, enabling them to focus on their studies and excel academically.

In addition, Prof. Dzakadzie assured the audience that the government is fully committed to completing all ongoing projects in colleges across the country within the current year.