Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University College at Fiapre, near Sunyani, has underscored the importance of education as a tool for socio-economic advancement of the country. He said it was the commitment of the Catholic Church to support the government in the promotion of education. Prof Ephraim was speaking at the graduation of 236 students of Saint Louis College of Education who have completed their three-year studies in Diploma in Business Education in Kumasi on Saturday. Speaking on the theme: “The Role of Catholic Education in National Development,” he commended the Church for establishing 1,118 kindergartens, 1,987 primary schools, and 944 Junior and 54 Senior High Schools in the country. The rest, he said, were 45 vocational, 10 technical institutes, eight teacher training schools and three nursing schools, in addition to the University. Prof Ephraim commended the authorities of the College for training about 10,000 teachers since its establishment in 1960 and hoped that such teachers have contributed greatly towards success of the education reform programme. He urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors and also pursue other academic courses. Mrs Mary Anane-Druyeh, Principal of the College, said out of 300 candidates presented for diploma in business education programme in 2005, 272 completed the course with 23 obtaining second class lower while 122 obtained third class. She commended the government for providing the College with a block of 16 classrooms funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund. She however, appealed for a vehicle to enhance the mobility of the students, especially those on practical training. Source: GNA