The Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya (NJA) College of Education officially matriculated 379 new students into its four-year Bachelor of Education programme during its 8th matriculation ceremony.

The event marked the induction of the third cohort of students under the college’s affiliation with the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED).

Addressing the gathering on Monday, March 3, Principal Mr. Shani Osman noted the highly competitive nature of the admissions, which were heavily constrained by government quotas. While 1,180 of the 1,631 first-choice applicants were deemed qualified, only 379 (32%) were admitted.

The incoming class features a strong female majority, with 232 female students (61%) compared to 147 male students (39%).

Reaffirming the institution's commitment to inclusive education, the college also welcomed two visually impaired students into the cohort. Students are distributed across three specialisms: Junior High (277), Upper Primary (65), and Early Grade (37).

Management outlined several major infrastructure developments aimed at improving the student experience.

A newly installed campus-wide Wi-Fi system, provided in partnership with Telecel, now delivers high-speed internet to the student body.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) have donated a new 200-bed student hostel, slated for completion in December 2025, while work has resumed on a stalled 300-bed hostel project.

Financial clearance has also been secured for a three-storey lecture block and a technical/vocational workshop.

Despite these physical upgrades, Mr. Osman issued a pressing appeal regarding a severe human resource deficit.

Over the past 18 months, the college has lost 17 staff members—seven to retirement and ten to resignations—creating a critical staffing gap.

A central theme of the ceremony was the strict moral and professional standards required of the teaching profession. Management reiterated a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment and the use of illicit drugs and alcohol on campus.

Guest speakers urged the students to view teaching as a craft to be mastered rather than a temporary job.

Professor Constance Awinpoka Akurugu, Associate Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at UBIDS, delivered a keynote address challenging female students to reject societal stereotypes regarding women's intellect.

She advised female students to rely on their own hard work, emphasising that balancing motherhood and education is highly achievable with proper planning and campus support.

Professor Akurugu also cautioned all students to maintain strict emotional discipline to protect their future careers.