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Colleges of Education Act, 2012

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Sections

listablishment, aims andfunctions
I. Establishment of colleges of education

2. Status of colleges of education

3. Aims of colleges of education

4. Functions of colleges of education

A dministrative provisions

5. Council of a college of education

6. Functions of the Council

7 General powers of the Council

8. Tenure of office of members of the Council

9. Meetings of the Council

10. Disclosure of interest

11. Establishment of the Committees

12. Allowances for members of the Council and committees

13. Principal officers of a college of education

14. Principal of a college

15. Functions of a Principal of a college

16.Vice-Principal of a college
17. Secretary of a college

17. Internal organisation of a college of education

18. Status of a college of education

19. Procedure for enacting statutes

20. Students' Representative Council

Academic Board

22. Academic Board

23. Composition of a Board

24. Functions of a Board

25. Committees of a Board

26. Meetings of a Board

27. Academic, administrative and other bodies

Financial provisions

28. Funds of a college of education

29. Accounts and audit

30. Annual report and other reports

Miscellaneous provisions

3l. Matriculation

32. Regulations

33. Interpretation

34. Transitional provisions

SCHEDULE

Act 847

THE EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY -SEVENTH

ACT

OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPCBLIC OF GHANA

ENTITLED

COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ACT, 2012 Act 847

A~ ACT to upgrade teacher training colleges to tertiary education
institutions to be known as colleges of education and to provide for
related matters.

DATE OF ASSE~T: 27th June, 2012.

PASSED by Parliament and assented to by the President:

Establishment, aims and functions

Establishment of colleges of education

1. (1) There is established by this Act bodies corporate with perpetual succession to be known as colleges of education specified in the Schedule.

(2) Where there is a hindrance to the acquisition of property by a college of education, the property may be acquired for the college of education concerned under the State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (C.A.6) or the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125) and the cost shall he borne by that college.

Status of colleges of education

2. (1) A college of education established under this Act is a public tertiary institution.

(2) A college of education shall be affiliated to an institution of higher learning established by law or charter for teacher education in the country.

(3) The colleges of education shall be as listed in the Schedule.

(4) The Minister may by legislative instrument amend the Schedule.

Aims of colleges of education

3. The aims of a college of education are to

(a) train students to acquire the necessary professional and academic competencies for teaching in pre-tertiary institutions and non-formal education institutions;

(b) build the professional and academic capacities of serving teachers through regular continuing education;

(c) provide programmes that will promote the effective teaching of science, mathematics, information and communication technology and other related subjects to meet the needs of
contemporary society; and

(d) foster links with relevant institutions and the community in order to ensure the holistic training of teachers.

Functions of colleges of education

4. To achieve its aims, a college of education shall

(a) provide teacher education to citizens in the teaching profession;

(b) decide on the subjects to be taught based on their special relevance to the needs of the educational system of the country and for national development;

(c) expose students to modern and innovative techniques of teaching and learning in order to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the integral part of teacher education to promote quality teaching and learning in the classroom;

(e) set up well-equipped resource centres where staff, students and serving teachers will be assisted to acquire skills in making and using teaching and learning materials for

(f) develop close relationships with professional teacher organisations, the Ghana Education Service, pre-tertiary educational institutions, universities and other tertiary institutions both local and international for the exchange of ideas and professional development;

(g) offer programmes for the award of diplomas and other certificates through affiliation with other chartered insti- tutions accredited by the National Accreditation Board;

(h) make provision for the general welfare, recreational and social needs of the staff and students of the college; and

(L) exercise powers that are incidental to the performance of the aims and functions of a college.

Administrative provisions

Council of a college of education

5. (1) The governing body for each college of education is a Council consisting of

(a) a chairperson;

(b) the Principal of the college;

(c) one person elected by the academic staff;

(d) the President of the Students' Representative Council;

(e) one representative of the Ghana Education Service not below the rank of Deputy Director;

(f) one representative of the National Council for Tertiary Education;

(g) one representative of the National Teaching Council;

(h) one person elected by the non-teaching staff of the college;

(I) one representative of the affiliate institution that awards the diploma or other certificate of the college of education;

(J) one representative of the alumni; and

(k) three persons at least two of whom are women.

(2) The Vice-Principal of the college, the Secretary of the college and the Finance Officer of the college shall be non-voting members of the Council.

(3) Where a college is established by a faith-based instiaition, the faith-based institution shall nominate the chairperson of the Council.

(4) The chairperson and members of the Council shall be appointed by the President in, accordance with article 70 of the Constitution.

Functions of the Council

6. (1) The Council of each college of education shall determine the policies of the college of education and have control over the general programmes and shall

(a) ensure the attainment of the aims of the college;

(b) approve the educational programmes developed by the academic board having regard to the mandate of the college;

(c) oversee the internal organisation of the college of education including the establishment, variation and supervision of academic divisions, departments and faculties of the
college;

(d) prescribe the terms and conditions for the admission of persons selected for a course of study organised by the college;

(e) institute awards, fellowships and scholarship schemes in furtherance of the aims of the college;

(f) appoint the Principal of the college, Vice Principal of the college, tutors and other persons to academic and administrative positions in the college;

(g) manage the finances and fixed assets of the college;

(h) consider and approve annual estimates of income and expenditure of the college;

(j) be responsible for policy on the discipline of staff and students of the college;

(j) promote income-generating activities; and

(k) perform any other functions that are ancillary to the aims of the college.

(2) The Council may establish committees that it considers necessary and shall assign to a committee functions that it considers appropriate.

(3) The Council may seek the advice of the Academic Board on any matter coming before the Council which the Council considers to have academic implications.

General powers of the Council

7. The Council of each college of education has the powers that are necessary to enable the Council to effectively perform the functions of a governing body of a college of education subject to this Act.

Tenure of office of members of the Council

8. (1) The chairperson and members of the Council, other than the Principal of the college shall hold office for a period of three years and are eligible for re-appointment but shall not be appointed for more than two terms.

(2) A member of the Council, other than the Principal of a college, may at any time resign from office in writing addressed to the President through the chairperson of the Council.

(3) Where a member of the Council is absent from meetings for a continuous period of twelve months, the office of that member shall become vacant.

(4) Where a member representing an institution is temporarily absent from meetings, the Council may appoint another person nominated by the relevant body or institution to act for the member during the absence of the member.

(5) Where the office of a member becomes vacant by death or by resignation or by absence from meetings, the chairperson of the Council shall notify the President of the vacancy and the President shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.

Meetings of the Council

9. (1) The Council shall meet at least three times in each academic year for the conduct of business at the time and in the place determined by the chairperson.

(2) The-chairperson shall at the request in writing of not less than five members of the Council convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council at the place and time determined by the chairperson.

(3) The quorum at a meeting of the Council is seven members including a majority of external members.

(4) The chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Council and in the absence of the chairperson, a member of the Council elected by the members present from among their number shall preside.

(5) Matters before the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting and in the event of equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote,

(6) The Council may co-opt a person to attend a Council meeting but that person shall not vote on a matter for decision at the meeting,

Disclosure of interest

10. (1) A member of the Council who has an interest in a matter for
consideration at a meeting of the Council

(a) shall disclose the nature of the interest and the disclosure shall form part of the record of the consideration of the matter; and

(b) shall not participate in the deliberations of the Council in respect of that matter.

(2) A member ceases to be a member of the Council, if that member has an interest in a matter before the Council and

(a) fails to disclose that interest, or

(b) participates in the deliberations of that matter.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to a member of the Board or any Committee established under this Act.

Establishment of the Committees

11. (1) For the purpose of achieving the aims of a college of education, the Council may establish standing or ad-hoc committees made up of members or non-members of the Council and assign them functions that the Council considers appropriate

(2) A Committee comprised entirely of non-members shall be advisory .

Allowances for members of the Council and committees

12. Members of the Council and members of the committees of the Council shall be paid allowances, which shall be determined by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance.

Principal Officers of a college of education

13. The Principal Officers of a college of education are

(a) the chairperson of the Council, and

(b) the Principal of the college.

Principal of a college

14. (1) The Council of a college of education shall appoint the Principal of the college in accordance with article 195(3) of the Constitution.

(2) The terms and conditions of service of the Principal of the college shall be determined by the Council and specified in the letter of appointment of the Principal of the college.

(3) A Principal of a college shall hold office for a term of four years and is eligible for re-appointment for another term only .

Functions of the Principal of a college

15. The Principal of a college is the chief academic, administrative and disciplinary officer of the college and in that capacity shall

(a) ensure the implementation of the decisions of the Council;

(b) exercise general authority over staff of the college;

(c) be responsible for

(i) the assignment of staff other than the persons as- signed by the Council;

(ii) the discipline and supervision of staff and students;

(iii) the preparation of the annual estimates of income and expenditure for consideration by the Council; and

(d) provide the Council with returns, reports and other relevant information required by the Council.

Vice-Principal of a college

16. (1) The Council of a college of education shall appoint the Vice- Principal of the college in accordance with article 195(3) of the Constitution.

(2) The Vice-Principal of the college shall perform the functions assigned by the Principal of the college and act in the absence of the Principal of the college.

(3) The terms and conditions of service of the Vice-Principal of the college shall be determined by the Council and specified in the letter of appointment of the Vice-Principal of the college.

(4) A Vice-Principal of a college shall hold office for a term of three years and is eligible for re-appointment for another term only.

Secretary of a college

17. (1) The Council of a college of education shall appoint the Secretary of the college in accordance with article 195(3) of the Constitution.

(1.) The Secretary of the college shall hold office on the terms and conditions determined by the Council

(3) The Secretary of the college is answerable to the Principal of the college in the discharge of the administrative duties of the Secretary to the college

(4) The Secretary of the college shall act as secretary to

(a) the Council of the college, and

(b) any other committee prescribed by the statutes of the college made under the Act.

Internal organisation of a college of education

18. (1) The Council of a college of education may make arrangements that it considers necessary for the internal organisation of the college of education.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Council shall make arrangements that relate to academic matters on the recommendation of the Academic Board.

Statutes of a college of education

19. Subject to the approval of the Minister, the Council of a college of education may enact statutes to

(a) regulate the appointment, conditions of service, termination of appointment and retirement benefits of the staff of the college;

(l) determine the persons who arc authoriscd to enter into transactions, sign documents. negotiate instruments and contracts on behalf of the college;

(d) fix the academic Calendar of the college;

(e) determine procedures to discipline students and staff of the college:

(f) determine proccdui cs for teaching assessment and the award of diplomas, certificates and other qualifications of the college;

(g,) oversee the award of scholarships:

(h) ensure that the seal of the college is kept in proper custody and used only on the authority of the Council; and

(i) provide for any other matter which is required by this Act to be prescribed by statutes.

Procedure for enacting statutes

20. A statute of a college of education is enacted if

(a) a draft of the statute has been circulated to the members of the Council of the college at least fourteen days before the meeting at which the statute is to be considered;

(b) after consideration by the meeting the draft has been provisionally approved without amendment or only with amendments of which notice in writing was circulated to
the members at least three days before the meeting;

(c) the statute as provisionally approved has been circulated to the members of the Council of the college and where, in the opinion of the Council, the statute affects academic
matters, the statute shall be circulated to the members of the Academic Board at least seven days before the meeting at which the statute is to be confirmed, and

(d) the statute is confirmed without amendment at a meeting of the Council of the college held not less than one month and not more than six months after the date of the meeting at which the statute was provisionally approved.

Students' representative council

21. (1) Each college of education shall have a Students' Representative Council.

(2) The Students' Representative Council is responsible for representing students duly admitted and registered to study at the college of education.

(3) A constitution of a Students' Representative Council shall

(a) be drawn up by the students subject to the approval of the Academic Board, and

(b) conform to this Act, the statutes of the college of education and any other rules, regulations, directives and edicts duly issued by the college of education.

(4) ,\ constitution or a governing instrument drawn up by the Students' Representative Council which is inconsistent with paragraph (h) of subsection (3) is to the extent of the inconsistency void.

Academic board

Academic Board

22. There is established for each college of education an Academic Board.

Composition of a Board

23. A board consists of

(a) the Principal of the college who is the chairperson,

(b) the Vice-Principal of the college,

(c) heads of the academic divisions, departments and faculties of the college,

(d) one representative of each academic department,

(e) the librarian of the college,

(f) the Secretary of the college who is secretary to the Board, and

(g) any other person prescribed in the statutes of the college.

Functions of a Board

24. (1) A Board shall, subject to the overall directive of the 'Council,

(a) formulate and implement the academic policies of a college in consultation with an affiliated institution;

(b) develop and regulate courses of instruction and study in consultation with an affiliated institution;

(c) determine academic standards, validation and review of courses in consultation with an institution to which the college is affiliated;

(d) regulate the conduct of examination and the assessment of students in consultation with an institution to which the college is affiliated;

(e) .determine the appointment of internal and external examiners;

(f) award diplomas and certificates in consultation with an institution to which the college is affiliated;

(g) advise the Council on the admission of students and the award of scholarship and bursaries;

(h) ensure the provision of adequate resources to support academic work and activities ·of the college of education;

(I) determine the policy and procedure for the discipline of students;

(j) promote quality assurance of academic work and activities of a college of education in consultation with an institution to which the college is affiliated;

(k) establish collaboration with educational institutions and other relevant industrial and commercial institutions; and

(I) report back to the Council of a college of education on matters referred to the Board by the Council.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a Board shall advise the Council generally and in particular on academic matters and shall perform other functions conferred on it by the statutes of a college of education.

Committees of a Board

25. (1) A Board may establish committees and assign functions to the committees after approval by the Council.

(2) The membership of a committee and the tenure of office of its members shall be determined by the Board.

Meetings of a Board

26. (1) A Board shall meet for the conduct of business at the times and places determined by the Board at least twice every semester.

(2) A Board shall determine and regulate the procedure for the meetings of the Board.

Academic, administrative and other bodies

27. (1) The Council may, in accordance with article 195(3) of the Constitution, appoint suitable persons as officers or members of the academic, administrative and other bodies of the college as the Council considers necessary for the achievement of the aims of the college.

(2) The terms and conditions of service of a person appointed shall be determined by the Council.

(3) The Council of a college may delegate to the Principal of the college the Council's power of appointment in respect of the grade of academic. administrative and other bodies of the college determined by the Council.

Financial provisions

Funds of a college of education

28. (1) The funds of a college of education consist of

(a) subventions from the Government of Ghana;

(b) tuition and boarding fees;

(c) gifts;

(d) endowments;

(e) grants;

(f) investments; and

(g) moneys from other sources approved by the Council of the college.

(2) The Council shall control the finances of the college as well as other finances arising out of the administration of the college except that, before determining questions of finance which directly affect the educational policy of the college, the Council shall invite the opinion of an Academic Board and take into consideration any recommendation or report submitted by the Board.

(3) The Council shall ensure that resources of the college are properly used.

(4) The Council may from time to time specify matters that relate to income and expenditure for which the consent of the Council should be obtained before a liability is incurred.

Accounts and audit

29. (1) The Council shall keep books of account and proper records in relation to them in a form approved by the Auditor-General.

(2)- The Council shall submit the accounts of a college of education to the Auditor-General for audit within three months after the end of the financial year.

(3) The Auditor-General shall not later than three months after the receipt of the accounts, audit the accounts and forward a copy of the audit report to the Council, National Council for Tertiary Education and the Minister.

Annual report and other reports

30. (1) The Council of a college shall within one month after the receipt of the audit report, submit an annual report to the Minister covering the activities and the operations of the college for the year to which the report relates.

(2) The annual report shall include the report of the Auditor- General.

(3) The Minister shall, within one month after the receipt of the annual report, submit the report to Parliament with a statement that the Minister considers necessary.

(4) The Council of a college shall also submit to the Minister any other reports which the Minister may require in writing.

Miscellaneous provisions

Matriculation

31. (1) A student admitted to a college shall take the Matriculation Oath and sign the Matriculation Register.

(2) A student who fails to sign the Matriculation Register may be prevented from graduating by the college.

Regulations

32. The Minister may on the recommendation of the Council, by legislative instrument, make Regulations that are considered necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Interpretation

33. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
"Auditor-General" includes an auditor appointed by the Auditor- General;

"Board" means an Academic Board of a college of education established by section 22;

"college" means a teacher training institution upgraded and established as a college of education established under section 1;

"Council" means the governing body of a college of education established under section 5;

"external members" means members from outside the college;

"faith-based institution" means an institution set up by a religious body such as the National Catholic Secretariat, the Christian Council, the Anglican Church, the Pentecostal Council, the Federation of Muslim Councils, the Ahmadiyya Mission and any other registered religious
body;

"members representing institutions" include

(a) the National Council for Tertiary Education;

(b) the Teachers and Educational Workers' Union;

(c) the Students' Representative Council;

(d) the Ghana Education Service;

(e) the National Teaching Council;

(f) the University of Cape Coast;

(g) the University of Education, Winneba; and

(h) the Alumini Association of a College of education;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Education;

"statutes" means administrative guidelines prepared by the Council of a college in accordance with this Act to govern the internal operations of a college of education;

Transitional provisions

ll. (I) The assets, rights, liabilities, subsisting obligations and properties of teacher training colleges in existence immediately before the commencement of this Act and the persons employed for the teacher training colleges are by this section transferred to the respective colleges of education established under this Act.

(2) A contract entered into by the teacher training institutions shall have effect as if entered into by the colleges of education established under this Act

(3) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, a reference to the teacher training colleges in any enactment shall be construed as a reference to the colleges of education established under this Act.

Colleges of Education Act, 2012
*SCHEDUL.E*
(Sections I (I) and 2)
1. Abetifi Presbyterian College of Education, Abctifi Kwahu.
2. Accra College ofEducation, Accra.
3. Ada College of Education, Ada.
4. Agogo Presbyterian Women's College of Education, Agogo.
5. Akatsi College of Education, Akatsi.
6. Akrokerri College of Education, Akrokerri.
7. Atebubu College of Education, Atcbubu,
8. Bagabaga College of Education, Tamale.
9 .. Berekum College of Education, Berckum.
10. Dambai College of Education, Dambai.
11. Evangelical Presbyterian College of Education, Arncdzofc,
12. Evangelical Presbyterian College of Education, Bimbilla.
13. Enchi College of Education, Enchi.
14. Foso College of Education, Assin Foso.
15. Gbewaa College of Education, Pusiga Bawku.
16. Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi.
17. Jasikan College of Education, Jasikan.
18. Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, Kibi.
19. Komenda College of Education, Komenda.
20. Mampong Technical College of Education, Ashanti Mampong.

21. Mount Mary College of Education, Somanya.
22. N. 1. Ahamadiyya College of Education, Wa.
23. Offinso College of Education, Offinso.
24. Our Lady of Apostles College of Education, Cape Coast.
25. Peki College of Education, Peki.
26. Presbyterian College of Education, Akwapirn Akropong.
27. Presbyterian 'Women's College of Education, Aburi.
28. Seventh Day Adventist College of Education, Asokore.
29. S1. Francis College of Education, Hohoe.
30. S1. John Bosco's College of Education, Navrongo.
31. S1. Joseph's College of Education, Bechem.

32.St. Louis College of Education, Kumasi.

33.St. Monica's College of Education, Ashanti Mampong.

34.St. Teresa's College of Education, Hohoe.

35.Tamale College of Education, Tamale.

36.Tumu College of Education, Tumu.

37.Wesley College of Education, Kumasi .

38. Wiawso College of Education, Sefwi Wiawso.

Date of Gazette notification: 29th June, 2012.