Beginning with the 2024/2025 academic year, SDA College of Education in Asokore-Koforidua will introduce a new grading criterion that includes marks for student conduct alongside academic performance aligning with national teaching standards.
Principal Prof. Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah announced the new policy during the graduation ceremony for 452 students on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
He stressed the importance of integrating professional conduct into the grading system. “Teachers are supposed to be examples to the students. They need to be trained in discipline and to have positive attitudes and values that they can showcase to students. We want teachers who will become very professional, upholding ethical values.” Prof. Adzahlie-Mensah
Under the new policy, students’ behavior—including dress code, speech, lecture attendance, and conduct during social gatherings and exams—will influence their grades.
“Today, colleges of education, now recognized as tertiary institutions, must focus on ethical integrity, discipline, and self-management,” Prof. Adzahlie-Mensah added. “Starting this semester, we will be giving marks for academic performance as well as for students’ professional conduct and behavior.”
Prof. Adzahlie-Mensah explained, “We are looking at how they conduct themselves generally. For example, if a teacher trainee is caught copying in an exam room, it implies they may train students who will also copy. We aim to avoid this. That is the import of our commitment to award half of the marks to professional conduct.
He emphasized that the new policy aims to ensure that graduates not only excel academically but also uphold high moral values and discipline. “We have decided that our students should be trained in all three areas required by the national teaching standards,” he said.
“The first area is professional knowledge covered by classroom learning, the second is professional practice, and the third, which is crucial for us, is professional values and attitudes.”
At the ceremony, special awards were presented to outstanding students.
Emmanuel Sarfo was recognized as the Overall Best Graduating Student with a first-class GPA of 3.68, receiving a tablet and GHC 2000 cash.
Additionally, Miss Mariama Dramani and Samuel Martey were awarded tablets for their exemplary behavior in well category
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
