Jackson College of Education (JCE) has held its sixth graduation with a call on graduands to exhibit high professionalism and integrity on the field of work.

A total of 1,393 students made up of 710 males and 683 females from all its 30 learning centres graduated with a Diploma in Basic Education and French Education.

Mr Micheal Nsowah, Chairman of the Council of Ghana Education Service (GES), praised the College for the significant role it has been playing in the educational front.

He underscored the need to appreciate the contributions of the College towards the production of more trained teachers through distance education. He added that the College’s contribution complements the Government’s efforts to rid the education system of pupil teachers.

He reminded graduands that acquiring the certificates is not more important than showing good conduct and professionalism in the classroom where they are expected to make positive impacts on their pupils.

They were counselled by the experienced educationist to pay particular attention to the development of their pupils as they go into the teaching profession.

Mrs Theodosia Jackson, Principal of the College, said students of the school are nurtured to meet the growing demands of the country’s educational system.

This, she noted, is anchored on Academic Excellence, Integrity, Discipline and Hard Work.

She said the College prioritises the training of teachers for rural communities since children in those areas deserve excellent teachers.

To achieve this, selected students are awarded scholarships through the Jackson Foundation based on students’ academic excellence and willingness to teach in deprived areas.

She appealed to the graduands to serve as good ambassadors of the college wherever they find themselves by practising with dignity, respect and selflessness.

Professor Samuel Kofi Afrane, Chairman of the Council of JCE, called on the Government to extend support in the form of scholarships and infrastructure to private tertiary institutions.

He said the current situation where private institutions are left out of Government scholarships and infrastructural development is discriminatory since students in those institutions are also Ghanaians.

He disclosed that since the inception of Jackson College of Education, it has produced over 9,000 graduates and that over 2000 had recently been matriculated to be trained as professional teachers.

Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful Broni, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) in a speech read for him, said JCE had performed creditably in the training of its students.

He said UEW has places for the graduands in its post diploma in basic education programmes. He urged them to take advantage to upgrade themselves.

He implored them to live above reproach and set good examples for their pupils to emulate since they spend more time with them than their parents.