A Trained Teacher Pleads For Semi-Virtual Graduation As GTEC Directs Tertiary Schools To Move Graduation Ceremonies Online
Colleges of Education (CoE) graduands have registered their resentment towards a directive by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for the Tertiary institutions of which the CoE institutions are not exempted, to hold a virtual graduation ceremonies due to the rippling cases of COVID-19 pandemic.
We forever appreciate the efforts and supports of the government and all relevant stakeholders to the education sector especially the Colleges of Education.
According to communication from the management of the CoE resolved that a virtual graduation shall be held after a letter was issued dated May 11, 2021 with reference number FA9/1/01, in paragraph 1, point 3 which states that ” Until further notice, move all Graduation ceremonies online. Any related gathering in this respect must conform strictly to the national restrictions on social gatherings.”
However, the graduands of the aforementioned Institution are soliciting for support from the public to plead on their behalf for the government and all stakeholders to allow the various management of the CoE to use a phased approach to hold a semi virtual graduation which would adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols and national restrictions.
Graduation is a once in a lifetime prestigious ceremony which honors the students for their successful completion of their course and in this regard cannot be afforded to be held fully online.
Also, graduands must be confered with their certificates by the Affiliated University. Adding up to the reasons above, graduands of the Colleges of Education are trained teachers of the last batch of the Diploma in Basic Education certificate programme.
Graduands therefore plead with GTEC to allow the management to organise a semi-virtual Graduation Ceremony to honor their exist.
We appreciate that we are all treading in foreign waters. Therefore, with much respect to the COVID-19 guidelines, graduands of the Colleges of Education seek to propose that if possible, GTEC could allow a phased approach to graduation ceremonies in the Colleges of Education.
The programme can be set to allow a specific number of people per time to avoid congestion and also the use of different venues such as multipurpose halls and open fields to help divide the congregation and minimise congestion. Public address systems and mounted giant screens can be used and projected to aid the approach.
With these, we plead that if government and GTEC could reconsider their directive.
Thank you.
This too shall pass.
Long live Trained Teachers !
Long live Ghana.!!
#Forward As Received.
Written by: Abban Clement, A concerned Trained Teacher.
Source: Bestghananews.com