VC advocates promotion of the learning of Agriculture

Mampong (Ash), Oct. 26, GNA - Professor Jophus Anamoah-Mensah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has advocated the collaboration of efforts by the Ministries of Food and Agriculture and Education, Youth and Sports towards the promotion of learning of Agriculture in schools.

He said under the programme, special incentive packages should be given to students to enhance the study of agriculture. Professor Anamoah-Mensah made the suggestions at the eighth matriculation ceremony of the Asante-Mampong campus of the UEW. He said such initiatives would facilitate the teaching and learning of the subject, which, according to him was on the decline in educational institutions.

A total of 197 students, made up of 169 men and 28 women, were admitted to read a four-year Bachelor of Education programme in Agriculture.

The Vice-Chancellor deplored the low intake of women and said the University had planned to improve upon the situation through the admission of Senior Secondary School leavers interested in teaching Agriculture in the pre-university institutions.

Professor Anamoah-Mensah said the UEW in its bid to discourage "parrot" learning, had banned the sale, buying and dictation of notes to students.

He said the policy further sought to encourage research work to boost "analytical thinking" among students.

Professor Anamoah-Mensah commended the Mampong Campus of the College of Agriculture for installing a satellite dish and the acquiring Internet facilities with funds from its own sources.