Prof. Avoke Advocates Renewed Passion in STEM Education

A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof. Mawutor Avoke, has emphasized the need for renewed passion among teacher trainees. He recognizes their pivotal role in education, particularly within STEM education, which he considers crucial for shaping a brighter future.

Prof. Avoke encouraged these aspiring educators to maintain lifelong learning, resilience, and perseverance throughout their careers.

In his speech, he noted that the theme for the Bachelor of Education program’s congregation aligns with the 2022 report on practical STEM education in Ghana, titled “Barriers and Opportunities.” Prof. Avoke stated that training STEM-based teachers for 21st-century learners brings invaluable benefits to individuals, society, and the nation.

As the guest speaker at the 2nd Congregation of St. Francis’ College of Education in Hohoe, he addressed 316 graduates who earned B.Ed Degrees. Among them, 199 graduates are male, while 117 are female. Notably, 27 graduates achieved first-class honors, 205 received Second Class Upper Division, 73 were conferred with Second Class Lower Division, and 11 graduates obtained Third Class.

Dr. Adwoa Kwegyiriba, the Principal of the College, commended the graduating class for their resilience during their challenging academic journey, which equipped them for the dynamic world of education.

She expressed gratitude for the significant support provided by Mr. Raphael Kwashie, the college’s former principal, who played a pivotal role in shaping the graduating class since their enrollment in 2019.

Dr. Kwegyiriba also extended appreciation to the Governing Council, stakeholders, and the entire college community for their contributions to growth and development.

St. Francis College recently made significant strides in its technology infrastructure. The campus is now connected to fiber optic internet, offering a blazing-fast speed of 150 Mbps. Additionally, plans are in motion to install routers across the entire campus, ensuring widespread Wi-Fi connectivity.

While celebrating progress, Dr. Kwegyiriba also highlighted the urgent need to address the poor condition of the college bus. She appealed to alumni to contribute towards a new bus, which would be vital for student engagement in the Students’ Teaching Scheme (STS) program.

A representative of the Minister of Education, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, who also serves as the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the graduates. Prof. Dzakadzie emphasized that their unwavering commitment would drive the country’s educational development. Additionally, he commended the college’s faculty members for their dedicated efforts in providing high-quality education.

Valedictorian Dodzi Kutordzor, with an impressive CGPA of 3.897, expressed gratitude for his education at St. Francis’ College and encouraged fellow graduates to commit to teaching while continuously upgrading their skills to meet societal demands. He highlighted the importance of embracing change as a lifelong tool.

The college recognized outstanding students with awards. Notable recipients include Patrick Atsu Toku (Best Graduating Student in Primary Education), Nuseadeli Vordzorgbe (Best Graduating English Major), Ernest Lanugo (Best Graduating ICT Student sponsored by Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (TTEL)), Rashidatu Salifu (Best Graduating Female STEM Student and Best Graduating Science Student), Edem Adukpo (Best Graduating Mathematics Student and Best Graduating Science Student STEM-sponsored by OFA 1999), and Jennifer Makafui Kpenu (Best Graduating Languages Student). Dodzi Kutordzor received the award for Overall Best Graduating Student.