The Mount Mary College of Education (MOMACO) in the Yilo Krobo Municipal of the Eastern region has held the tenth graduation for its 2016/2017 graduands last Saturday at the School’s premises.
A total of one thousand one hundred and forty-one students were successfully presented with their certificates after diligently completing a Diploma in Basic Education (DBE) and Untrained Teacher Diploma Education (UTDBE).
While five hundred and twenty (520) of the graduates had gone through a three-year regular stream to obtain their DBE, the six hundred and twenty-one who obtained the UTDBE went through a four-year distance system.
Mr. Daniel Marfo even though deceased, was post-posthumously adjudged the overall national best College of Education student for the year 2016/2017. The School presented to his family, a laptop computer from the Members of Parliament, Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo constituencies and other scholarship packages.
Other award winners were Madam Benedicta Yayra Deh, Eugenia Marku Akpey, Mr. Johnson Ampah, Madam Kossi Abotsi and Mr. Charles Atomowe.
The Principal of the School, Dr. Cecilia Esinam Agbeh who is an alumna of the school congratulated parents and guardians for their effort in bringing the graduands this far.
“I would want to mention the parents and guardians of our graduands that you have dutifully catered for your wards, paying their fees and helping to make them toe the line towards success and achievement,” she said.
The Principal also acknowledged the fact that some graduands toiled and provided their own school needs including fees.
The School Commends Restoration of Student Allowance
Dr. Cecilia Esinam commended government on fulfilling its promise of restoration of teacher training allowance. According to her, the Government has brought interest and hope in training college students in the country.
“I cannot forget the role of Government to improve the Educational system of the country, bringing enthusiasm and hope to all students. Worthy of note is the restoration of your allowances. Please give a hand to the President of the Republic and the Government at large for fulfilling this wonderful promise,” she said.
Advice to graduands
Students were counseled to take their graduation as a milestone that should open and propel them to new opportunities thus taking the profession to higher heights in academic achievement.
Mrs. Cecilia Esinam Agbeh (Dr.) further cautioned graduands not to be dissuaded from pursusing certain projects and ideas geared towards a worthy cause but remain focused and avoid all forms of distractions once their focus is in the right direction.
She also urged the graduands to do all they can to reach their full potentials in life.
“As you go into the world, do all you can to reach your full potential in life but whilst you are at it, please make it a point to always do the right thing at the right time.”
Meanwhile, the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua who graced the event advised the graduands to stay away from corrupt deeds since the world they go in is infested with corruption.
Some Key invited guest
This year’s graduation ceremony marked the 10th graduation since the upgrade of the College of Education from a Cert “A” institution to Diploma.
Some noted speakers of the ceremony included: Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Dr. Emmanuel Newman, Head of Department of Planning, Research and Policy Development at the National Council for Tertiary Education (NTCE), Most Reverend Joseph Afrifa–Agyekum from the Koforidua Catholic Doices and Professor D.D. Kuupole who was the former Vice-Chancellor of the Univesity of Cape Coast who sat in as guest speaker.
Observing invited officials were the Eastern Regional Representative to the Council of State, His Excellency Nana Somoah Mireku, Principals from two sister Colleges, Presbyterian College of Education and Kibi College of Education, Municipal Director of Education, Yilo and other several traditional and political figures from within Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipals.
Mount Mary College of Education
Mount Mary College of Education was established in the year 1947 by American Catholic SVD Missionaries. It started with 23 male students who offered the Teacher Certificate “B” programme.
Lack of space, infrastructure and the need for expansion had compelled the college to be moved to the present location in 1950 for which official inauguration took off on December 8, 1951.
The school which will attain and celebrate 70th anniversary come December has trained a lot of teachers who have progress not only in the classroom but also in management and other endevours. The current Principal and the guest speaker, Dr. Cecilia Esinam Agbeh and Professor D.D. kuupole respectively were no exceptions.
The School which is geographically owned by two municipals, Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo is having fifty academic staff, 62 non-teaching staff and five halls with one thousand one hundred and sixty-seven students occupying them. However, three hundred and ninety-seven are level 300 students doing their internship programme in various schools across the eastern region.
The school which trains teachers for French instruction also offers courses such as Mathematics, Vocational and Technical, Science, Social Studies and General Education.
Source: Omanba Kodwo Boafo/omanbaboafo84@gmail.com/ritefmonline.org
