Berekum College Of Education (BECOLED)

OUR HISTORY

Berekum college of Education (BECOLED) formerl BETCO is located at south-eastern part of Berekum, on the Berekum-Sunyani road. The college was established in February, 1953 as a Government institution with the motto PER ADUA AD ASTRA. Nana Yiadom Boakye Owusu II, the then Omanhene of Berekum traditional area released 42 hectares (103.491 acres) of land, and laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the college. Sixty male students were enrolled in February, 1953. The first principal was Mr T.T. Buchanan. Mr Alex Godwin Kwakye was the first college prefect. Three dormitories were built and named after the first three principals: Buchanan House, Nicholas House, and Stewart House. Mr I. E. Hayfron was the first Ghanaian principal of the college.

The college took off with 2-year certificate ’B’ programme till 1961 when 4-year certificate ‘A’ programme was introduced. In 1958, with the turning of Winneba Training College into Specialist Training College, students pursuing Cert.’B’ programme were transferred to Berekum. The last batch of the 2-year Certificate ‘B’ programme students left in 1963. In 1964, 2-year specialist programme in mathematics was also introduced. The programme was transferred to Winneba in 1966. The college became a co-educational institution when women were admitted in 1965. In 1968, 2-year post-secondary certificate ‘A’ programme was introduced to run alongside the 4-year certificate ‘A’ programme. The 4-year programme was phased out in 1971. Berekum Girls Secondary School was established in 1972, and it was attached to the training college, which was then a female institution. Men were re-admitted into the college in 1974. The Girls Secondary School was removed in 1975. In that year, 3-year post-secondary programme was introduced to run alongside the 4-year post-middle programme that was re-introduced in 1975. A modular programme for untrained teachers was introduced in 1984. The post-middle programme was finally phased out in 1992.

In September, 2007 the college was given accreditation to offer diploma programme. However, the first batch of diploma graduates passed out in July, 2007. Student enrolment as at September, 2009 stood at 892, comprising 595 men and 297 women. The college offered  2-year sandwich programme in Diploma in Basic Education for 527 certificate ‘A’ teachers between August, 2007 and May, 2009.  Four-year diploma in basic education programme was introduced in December, 2005 for 586 untrained teachers. Two hundred and thirty-one (231) untrained teachers were also admitted on sandwich programme for Teachers Certificate in Basic Education.

There are 40 teaching staff members, comprising 33 men and 7 women.

The academic record of the college has been very impressive over the years. The college has trained about eight thousand teachers, a good number of whom have served \are serving in other capacities as public servants, lawyers, accountants, lecturers, politicians, business executives, traditional rulers and media practitioners.

The College celebrated its 50^th anniversary on 10^th May, 2003. Among the dignitaries who attended were Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Education Youth and Sports (MoEYS), Nana Amankona Diawuo, Omanhene of Berekum Traditional Area, Hon. Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, Member of Parliament for Berekum, Old students, the Regional Minister, Hon. Nana Kwadwo Senti, Mrs. Margaret Benneh, Director, Teacher Education Division of the Ghana  Education Service (GES) and Mrs. Akua Debrah, Regional Director, GES .The theme for the occasion was MORAL DEGENERATION IN GHANA :A CHALLENGE TO EDUCATION. The Guest Speaker was Rev. Professor Emmanuel Addow Obeng, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast

OUR VISION

An icon of excellence in teacher education

OUR MISSION

To produce competent, dedicated, creative and innovative teachers who would inspire, motivate and bring out the best in their pupils in the basic schools, through pre-service and in-service training.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME OFFERED
The College offers Three-Year Diploma in Basic Education programme (General). Students stay on campus for two years for academic and professional studies and one year off-campus for practicum (i.e. teaching practice). This programme is popularly called "In-In-Out" .The programme prepares trainees to impart to pupils learning skills, thinking skills, and life skills.
After successful completion, graduates qualify to pursue a 2-year degree programme at any teacher education university.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Aggregate of 24 in six subjects including Core English Language, Core Mathematics, Core Science, Social Studies and two electives at SSSCE / WASSCE level.

In addition to the above academic requirement, applicants are interviewed   to assess their personality qualities, aptitudes and interest in teaching

When offered admission, candidates are expected to pay their fees as and when stipulated by the college. Failure to meet the deadline for payment implies that the candidate has not accepted the admission offer and will be immediately replaced

Admission forms are sold in February at the General Office

STRENGTHS

The Ghana Education Service readily employs 100% of the college graduates to teach in the basic schools.

Trainees are given allowances to pursue their studies

Municipal and District Assemblies give financial assistance to trainees.

The college has over 80 hectares of undeveloped land for expansion.

The college has regular supply of power and water.

WEAKNESS

1.  Inadequate number of staff with second degree. 
2.  Unqualified support staff in the administrative sector.
3.  Inadequate funding. Grants from government are inadequate, and do not come regularly

4. Inadequate accommodation facilities for staff as well as students whose numbers far
exceed the available bungalows and dormitories.
5.  Inadequate academic facilities and equipment.

OPPORTUNITIES

1. The college is strategically positioned at a place with a wider catchment area for trainees.
2.  The upgrading of teacher training colleges to diploma awarding institutions
has the potential to attract more qualified students and staff.
3.  All roads leading to the college from other regions are accessible throughout the year.
4.  The College has the capacity to organize in-service training for teachers in the basic schools.
5.  As a teacher training institution, the college can easily establish linkages with similar
institutions in the sub-region and the Commonwealth of Learning.
6.  Favourable government policy on teacher education.

THREATS

1.  The salary structure and other remunerations for staff have resulted in low staff retention. 
2.  As students join the tertiary level of education, it is uncertain whether they will
continue to enjoy their allowances to meet the cost of their studies. 
3.  Encroachment on college land.
4.  Trainees regard teaching as a stepping stone
5.  Conditions of service for teachers do not attract applicants with better grades to enter the college.

STRATEGIC THRUSTS

1.  Establish a transparent and participatory administration. 
2.  Offer effective supervision and accountability.
3.  Improve on teaching and learning outcomes.
4.  Improve on academic and residential facilities.
5.  Ensure discipline among staff and students.
6.  Ensure environmental cleanliness and health care.
7.  Build partnerships/collaborations.
8.  Generate funds internally to support college projects and programmes

CONTACT AND LOCATION

College Address: Post Office Box 74, Berekum, B.A, Ghana, West Africa

Phone: +233352222018/ +233352222162
Website: www.becoled.edu.gh
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LOCATION

Berekum- Sunyani Highway