The Holy Child College of Education in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis through the Western Regional Minister Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is appealing to the government of Ghana to change a contractor that was contracted to construct 300 capacity student hostel at the college’s premises.
According to the College’s Principal, Mr. Francis Hull Adams a contract was awarded by the government in 2022 where the contractor only came to clear the site.
He categorically stated that the project was a laudable initiative introduced by the government of Ghana to tackle serious accommodation challenges for students.
Meanwhile, nothing has happened on the site to date.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Mr. Hull said, that in some colleagues of education, a similar project has started but concerning the only college of education in the western region, nothing has been done hence appealing to the government, through the regional minister to take a second look at Holy Child College of Education situation.
“if the need is, change the contractor for us”, Mr. Hull emphasized.
However, highlighting the status of projects in the college, the Principal indicated that since their last congregation on July 29, 2023, there has been some modest progress in infrastructure where the GetFund Project Bishop John Martin D. auditorium is 95% complete.
Furthermore, outstanding works are the standard works which include pavement, drainage, and grassing.
Again, another GetFund is the conversion of a single-level science laboratory into a level science laboratory, where the top floor of the project has been completed to take in students.
Notwithstanding, the overall completion is 60% with the remaining work involving the down floor and the standard works which are stored for some time.
Mr. Hull noted that the reason for non-activity at the site is due to the liquidity issue of the contractor.
A further project is the completion of a three-story lecture hall complex where phase two is 55% complete with outstanding work involving the aeration of columns, beams, walls, carpentry, and roofing, work is ongoing, though slow.
Mr. Francis Adams made this known to stakeholders and dignitaries during the 2nd Congregation of the college for the four-year Bachelor of Education program introduced by the Government of Ghana in 2018.
Highlighting the self-help projects in the college, the Alumni of the college boldly started the construction of the main entrance gate to the college at the eastern boundary.
Furthermore, the principal mentioned that the SRC college has also supported several projects started by management including the continuation of the first-world iteration of signage advantage points to make the college visible.
The SRC has plans to purchase a plant for the college soon.
The Holy Child College of Education is being confronted with challenges including overage operational vehicles, poor internal road network, inadequate halls of residence for students, inadequate accommodation for staff, and inadequate computers for teaching and administrative work, which needs urgent attention from the stakeholders.
Other challenges include inadequate computers for teaching and administrative work and, the use of college as toll-fare by our service.
Mr. Francis Hull Adams made a special appeal to the regional minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah who is known by the college community as a reliable friend of the college to at least address two present needs of the college, that is bus to support teaching practicals and rehabilitation of our internal roads.
Concerning the numerical strength of the college, the principal mentioned that the student population stands at 1,238, including level 100 – 296 students, level 200 – 293 students, level 300 – 307 students, and level 400 – 342 students.
The COVID-19 pandemic was not spared the 2023 Holy Child College of Education graduating students as they struggled through their first year engaging in online studies after they were admitted to the college in 2019.
The Holy Child College of Education Principal stated that he feels highly elated and commended the graduates for their resilience despite they being the second batch of students whose status was affected by COVID-19.
The graduates demonstrated the ability to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities, and grow into very capable, responsible, and compassionate personalities.
“Another thing about this group is that they are known for the slogan, we won’t write. As if they were joking, we won’t write, we won’t write and they did not write, however, at the end of it all, this group is the best in terms of performance”.
The achievements are a reflection of what the average Ghanaian is capable of doing, giving the right resources at the right time with appropriate supervision strategies.
Mr. Hull continued that the success of the 2nd batch in terms of Degree was a combination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance from both hard-working tutors, parents, alumni of the college, and most importantly, the super-accomplished graduates.
The results of the second batch of the four-year program who graduated recently, according to the principal were impressive.
Last academic year, the Holy Child College of Education recorded 12 first-class graduates, which became the highest number of first-class ever registered in the college.
Meanwhile, the performance of the recent graduates is said to put up such a splendid performance as they recorded 25 first-class, second-class offer 148, second-class lower 98, third-class 38, and 3 passes, a percentage difference of over 100 despite facing challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another aspect of the result worth mentioning is that this year, Early Childhood recorded two first-class graduates as the gains zero for last year.
In total, 87.7% of the total graduates registered first and second-class successes.
In conclusion, the Principal Mr. Hull, and the entire staff of Holy Child College of Education hope that the results of the current non-profit students will follow the same trend, a trend of positive progression.
Story: Benjamin Bray
