Mampong, (Ash) July 15, GNA - The University of Education, Winneba, (UEW) has pledged regular in-service updating programmes for teachers and heads of educational institutions to enable the Ghana Education Service (GES) to achieve its reform goals.

Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, the Vice-Chancellor, said these had been crafted to ensure the development of highly competent teachers and administrators. "They are designed to produce a new crop of teachers and heads with the skills and competencies to create and manage change in the schools," he explained.

He was addressing the Matriculation Ceremony for 725 students, made up of 482 males, and 243 females, admitted into the various sandwich programmes at its College of Agriculture Education, at Asante-Mampong. The Vice-Chancellor said they would continue to develop appropriate programmes for teacher development geared at making their products globally competitive and functional not only in the classroom but other sectors of the educational enterprise. It has, this year, introduced new courses at the undergraduate level= , including Certificate in French, Diploma in Art, Graphic Design and Music. There is also the Master of Education, Social Studies and Post-Graduate Diploma in Science Education.

Prof Asabere-Ameyaw reminded the students to comply with the university's conventions and regulations, necessary for the maintenance o= f order, protection of people and property and the fulfilment of the purposes for which, they were there. They should avoid alcoholism, unbridled sexual lives, offensive dressing, drugs and uncouth behaviours.

He re-affirmed the university's commitment towards providing an institutional environment, where all would pursue their studies, careers an= d activities in an atmosphere free of threat of unwelcomed and unwanted sexua= l escapades. He counselled them not to hesitate to report suspicious characters to the security. Prof Asabere-Ameyaw, additionally, urged them to exhibit high sense o= f academic integrity and sincerity, warning that the university 93does not compromise on its standards."