Teachers’ college not recognised

IT is unfortunate that Goroka Teachers’ College cannot graduate its final-year students because the college is not registered with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST).
Let me shed some light on issues affecting the college.
It entered Eastern Highlands like a thief.
The college never informed the provincial government, provincial administration, division of education and the people of Eastern Highlands of its entry and its existence.
This resembles Kelua Teachers’ College in Jiwaka.
This is believed to be the work of those same people who started Kelua Teacher’s College.
This college is yet to be registered because it has not met the criteria and standards.
Goroka Teachers College has been collecting hefty school fees from ignorant students. Some locals enrolled with qualifications less than grade 12.
The college started conducting classes in buildings not conducive to teaching and learning – a big warehouse divided with makeshift walls.
The situation has not improved.
The students were taught by persons with teaching certificates and diplomas.
Is this consistent with the required qualifications to lecture diploma students?
It is common knowledge that a certificate or diploma holder cannot teach a diploma student.
Some primary school teachers were engaged to teach at the college but soon withdrew after learning they would not come on the Education Department payroll.
Some are still teaching there.
The curriculum materials used by teachers and students at Goroka Teachers’ College are questionable.
A very important requirement is quality assurance.
Quality assurance will encompass the above and others not mentioned. There are nationally-established quality assurance criteria that teachers colleges must meet in order to register.
Goroka Teachers College unfortunately has not met the quality aspects of a teachers’ college and hence cannot register.
If students do not graduate, they have no one to blame but themselves and their parents.

Norm Sakete
Concerned Nokondi
Okapa 2CUPS Land