12 Bags First Class as Holy College Holds Congregation for the First Batch of 4year Bed in Basic Education
The Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi, has held her 1st Congregation for the Conferment of Bachelor of Education degrees on the theme; “Championing the course of Gender and Inclusive Education: The Female Factor in Teacher Education”. The ceremony which was held at the Bishop John Martin Darko Auditorium on Saturday, July 29, 2023, saw a total of 273 students graduating with 12 students obtaining 1st class honors, 137 students, and 108 students also received 2nd class Upper and Lower honors respectively while 16 students had 3rd class honors.
Constituting the Assembly, Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi and Council Chairman acknowledged the enviable achievements of the graduands and described them as one of Holy Child’s most successful and dedicated batch of students. He paid glowing tributes to the tutors for their diligent guidance and their parents for their generous support that enabled the graduands to reach the remarkable height.
Dr. Francis Hull Adams, in an address Principal of the College, lauded the outstanding academic accomplishments of the graduating class. Among the graduates, an impressive 12% earned first-class honors, while 50% achieved second-class upper degrees, underscoring the college’s unwavering dedication to fostering independent learners who excel in examinations.
Dr. Adams also highlighted the vital role of partnerships and collaborations in teacher training. He revealed the college’s ongoing agreements with local basic schools and unveiled plans for future international collaborations with esteemed universities in Japan and Canada. Dr. Adams expressed deep appreciation for the unwavering commitment of the college staff and celebrated recent infrastructural developments, including the completion of the Assembly hall/auditorium project and the ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art lecture hall complex.
Dr. Adams urged the graduands to embrace their journey beyond graduation and actively contribute to the growth and development of their alma mater. He extended heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders whose support and dedication contributed to the success of this historic event, emphasizing the significance of collective efforts in creating a bright future for Holy Child College of Education
In her address, Prof. Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences charged the graduands not to see their graduation as the end of their academic and professional ambition, but as stepping stones to greater achievements. urging them to ensure that in the pursuit of their career, they lay a strong foundation, keep a solid space, keep focused on their vision, seek mentorship, invest in continuous self-development, establish a strong support system, and develop collaboration locally nationally, and internationally.
Prof. Aziato who was the Guest Speaker further affirmed the importance of the theme describing it as very apt, calling for equal opportunities and recognition of the achievements of women in all spheres of life while appealing to women to invest in their professional development in multiple skill areas.
She added that it is the basic right for all to be educated hence the school feeding program and the free SHS policy of the government were laudable interventions in ensuring inclusivity and challenged the College to ensure that as a way forward there will be graduands specialized in taking care of children/students with special needs soon.
Madam Araba Bentum, a past student of the College and the National Director of Catholic schools in Ghana congratulated the Catholic Church and the Holy Child Sisters for facilitating the sound training and formation of young ladies as teachers over the years and urged the graduands to ensure that the Holy Child Spirit follows them wherever they go.
Miss Maud Abakah Taylor, the valedictorian in her speech traced the historical trajectory that culminated to their success story while affirming with gratitude the persistent and consistent help, support, and guidance of their parents, college management, tutors, counselors, and the overall inspiration from the college community.
Madam Cassandra Ampofo, Head of Public Relations at GES in her remarks recognized and appreciated the crucial role of the female factor in shaping the future of the education system and commended the Holy Child College of Education for being at the forefront in providing quality teacher education. She emphasized that the College has set a remarkable example not only in equipping teachers with the necessary pedagogical skills but also in laying a foundation for an inclusive educational environment that promotes equal opportunities for all.
The high point of the ceremony was the conferment of Bachelor of Education degrees to deserving 273 graduating students by the representative of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape-Coast.
As part of the ceremony, some graduands who excelled in their programs of study received special awards. A total of thirty-one awards were presented to deserving graduating students from various sponsors. Miss Maud Abakah Taylor was adjudged the overall best-graduating student with a total of 5 awards.
Holy Child College Of Education Holds 17th Matriculation Ceremony
Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi, held its 17th matriculation ceremony on Tuesday March 14, 2023 at the College’s Cornelia Connelly Hall. The 17th matriculation ceremony marked the first matriculation ceremony held by Dr Francis Hull Adams, since his appointment as Principal of the College. In attendance was the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi Takoradi, Very Rev. Fr Francis Lemaire, as well as staff and students of the college.
In his address, Dr Francis Hull Adams, referred to the newly admitted first year student teachers as a special group of students who will become a reference point in the annals of the College, providing the empirical basis for value judgment decisions concerning his performance as the first male principal of the college.
Dr Francis Hull Adams further reminded the 1st year student teachers that the taking of the “Matriculation Oath” and the writing of their names in the Register of Students, signifies their membership as “bona fide junior members” of the community of Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi. He advised the newly admitted 1st year students to take advantage of the conducive teaching and learning environment at the college to unearth their maximum potentials.
The Principal informed members present that 1,869 candidates applied for admission to Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi, representing a 61% rise in the number of applicants from last year’s number of 1,160 applications. He however informed members that only 297 (20%) of the applicants were given admission. To this, he made a passionate appeal to all stakeholders, including the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), past students of the College as well as various groups and individuals to help expand the infrastructural facilities in the College in order to admit more student teachers.
THE COLLEGE GETS ITS 1ST MALE SUBSTANTIVE PRINCIPAL
The College Governing Council of Holy Child College of Education has appointed the College’s first male substantive principal, since the college’s establishment in 1946. Dr Francis Hull Adams, the newly appointed 1st male substantive principal of the College, becomes the 14th Principal of the College and also the 9th Substantive Principal appointed since the College’s establishment.
Dr Francis Hull Adams, by his appointment, has been given the mandate to serve as the academic and executive head and chief disciplinary officer of the College. He will have the right and duty to advice Council and the Academic Board on all matters affecting policy, finance and administration of the College. Dr Francis Hull Adams will also be directly responsible for the day-to-day running of the College.
Dr Francis Hull Adams expressed gratitude to the Minister of Education, the Director General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Deputy Director General, Prof Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and the Most Rev John Baptist Attakruh, Council Chairman and Bishop of Sekondi Takoradi Diocese of the Catholic Church for making his appointment a reality. He also extended gratitude to the Western Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Felicia Agyeibea Okai, and former principals of Holy Child College of Education, in the persons of Mrs. Cecilia Harry Quaye and Mrs. Margaret Lemaire. Dr Francis Hull Adams further praised the staff of Holy Child College of Education for their support, loyalty, consistency, their passion and their penchant to always insist on the right thing.
Dr Francis Hull Adams, in his speech, stated that his vision statement for Holy Child College of Education focuses on six thematic areas: attracting and maintaining quality personnel, achieving academic excellence, promoting discipline, promoting guidance and counselling services, fundraising, and promoting sports and games. This he said is to facilitate the pragmatic realization of the established vision of the college in becoming a pacesetting college in the training of knowledgeable and dedicated teachers for basic schools in Ghana.
Dr Adams opined that academic institutions must create an environment where people can develop and be motivated to pursue further studies; as such, he assured that measures would be put in place to ensure staff professional development. Dr Adams added that pro-active measures will be taken to promote an enviable academic record and excellence in Holy Child College of Education, such as providing effective supervision, award system, and improved academic facilities.
In his speech, Dr Adams also indicated that a Research and Publication Unit will be established to facilitate research among tutors, and tutors will be encouraged to do both basic and applied research.
According to Dr Adams, even though the elevation of all public Colleges of Education in Ghana to tertiary status has resulted in changes in the collective behaviour of students and changes in the corporate culture of the Colleges, Holy Child College of Education is embracing the new dispensation and will strive to promote discipline on the part of both tutors and students. He assured all present that Holy Child College of Education will raise the bar when it comes to discipline and train students to acquire 21st century skills, attitudes and values to make them fit and function in every segment of life and make them hot cake in the job market. He indicated that governance structures codified in the statutes of Colleges of Education will be activated and used to ensure the committee system operates effectively.
With the promotion of guidance and counselling services in the college, Dr Adams indicated that the Guidance and Counselling Unit will be strengthened and equipped to deal with challenges faced by staff and students, and periodic thematic programmes will be organised to meet the needs of students and staff. Dr Francis Hull Adams ended his address with a plea for support from all stakeholders in acquiring the requisite resources needed to educate the girl child.
Immediate Past SRC Donation to the College
The Immediate Past Student Representative Council (SRC) led by Miss Lawrencia Ewuramaa Akuoko has donated twelve (12) big dustbins to the College. According to her this gesture is to help improve sanitation in the college. among her entourage was Miss Selina Abroakwah the former SRC vice president and the Miss Kafui Danku Diaba Former Dean of Students Affair. The donation which was made on Wednesday 15th March, 2023 was received by the Principal of the College, Dr. Francis Hull Adams together with the Vice Principal Mr. Kojo Amuah Prah, the SRC President miss Anastasia Egyan and the other SRC executives on behalf of the college.
The Principal of the college expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the executives for taking such initiative. he further assured the Executives that the dustbin will be put into good used to achieve the intended purpose of improving sanitation on campus.
He also appeal to the various groups on campus to mimic what the SRC has done and support the college in any small way they can.
Exhibition showcase of food and clothing by students
The Department of Home Economics of the Holy Child College of Education on Friday, April 22 organised an exhibition to showcase food and clothing items made by the students. Explaining the purpose of the gathering, Ms Genevieve Nketsiah, a tutor from the department noted that the exhibition was to utilize the Pattern Drafting course students studied the previous semester and to build on the semester’s course which is Clothing Construction where students were expected to use the knowledge acquired to produce a self-garment. She further stated that “the exhibition will be graced with modeling as students fit their garments to know whether there are faults or not.”Touching on Food Preservation as an aspect of the exhibition, Ms Charity A. Ampong revealed that the students made use of some preservatives like vinegar, salt and sugar to preserve selected food items. The various preservatives were used to inhibit, in activate or kill micro organisms that cause food spoilage. The vinegar had to be prepared to maintain a neutral PH in order to work effectively. Foods preserved included sprout fish, Beef, Perishable vegetables, and fruits. As part of the exhibition, the students also prepared sweetens like Jam, Jellies marmalades, etc. According to Ms Charity A. Ampong, Food Handling and Preservation begins right from the farm through to the table and, the essence of this procedure is to teach students how to preserve foods for use at a later date, add value, bring variety and eventually prevent waste. Mrs. Bridget Wayoe, the Head of Department mentioned that the exhibition will also include modeling where students gave descriptions of their choice of fabric, reasons for their choice, and pattern selection using their various body measurements. Students are expected to include features like, darts, gathers, and pleats. The fit is the final view of scoring”, she added. The Acting Principal of the College, Dr. Francis Hull Adams applauded Home Economics Department for putting up a great show and grooming the ladies to be role model to the communities they will find them selves in the near future. The modeling had Mr. Emmanuel Gillette, Ms. Charity A. Ampong
The College Commissions Pure Water Production
Holy Child College of Education Commissions Pure Water Production Unit on Campus. The commissioning was Done by Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, Bishop of Sekondi Diocese and the Council Chairman for the College. In attendance was the Principal of the College Dr. Francis Hull Adams and other dignities. Bishop Attakruh explained that water is a wonderful sign of love and cleansing. He was therefore grateful to the Management of the College for the project. Dr. Francis Hull Adams, the Acting Principal of the College highlighted on the benefit of the project to the community. He was hopeful that the water project will solve the perennial water crisis that the college experience each year. Dr. Adams used the occasion to express his gratitude to the Management of the College, the student body, the staff and all those who helped in making the project a reality.
The College made a donation to jubilee children's hospital Apowa
Holy Child College of Education on Easter Saturday, made a donation to the Jubilee Children’s Hospital, Apowa. In attendance was the Acting Principal Dr. Hull Adams, Vice Principal Mr. Kojo Amuah Prah, The acting College Secretary Rev. Sr. Joana Duker, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Dolphyne College Chaplain, Members of Staff, the SRC President, Miss Lawrencia Akuoko and the student body