By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, May 5, GNA – Mr Williams Sebil , Principal of the Nursing Training College (NTC) in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, has called for national recognition for the contributions of nurse tutors in the country.
He noted that even though tutors across Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges contributed significantly to shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Ghana, their efforts were not recognized as was done for teachers in basic and Senior High Schools.
“It is time we advocate that nurse tutors be considered for national awards, just as teachers in basic and Senior High Schools are recognized. Our tutors play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Sebil said this when he addressed staff, stakeholders, and students at a matriculation ceremony for first- and second-year students of the College.
The Principal emphasized that tutors “deserve national acknowledgment,” and further disclosed that several deserving staff members experienced delays in promotions which demotivated them.
He bemoaned the slow-paced promotion process for staff of the College, saying “This affects morale and may lead to brain drain in the long term.”
He indicated that the College’s clinical training was threatened by increasing attrition of preceptors in hospitals and acknowledged their crucial role in mentoring students during practical sessions.
“Without them, the quality of our training is compromised,” the Principal noted.
Touching on some challenges of the College, the Principal said the College faced unresolved issues regarding compensation for land acquired for development and indicated that the unresolved issues delayed the College’s expansion efforts and affected its relationship with the local community.
“Our student population continues to grow, but the infrastructure has not kept pace with it. We urgently need more lecture halls, hostels, laboratories, and office spaces to enhance teaching and learning,” Mr Sebil said.
He added that the lack of staff bungalows for tutors on campus was a major setback as it affected staff commitment, punctuality, and supervision of students, especially during clinical placement and emergencies.
The principal said despite the numerous challenges of the College, management continued to strive to provide conducive environment for teaching and learning, “We have made significant investments in infrastructure despite our limited resources.
“Recently, we put up a new storey building, two classrooms completed and in use, with two classrooms to be handed over by the end of September 2025, and hopefully, these four large classrooms will ease congestion and improve academic performance.
“These improvements are geared towards ensuring that you receive quality education that meets both national and international standards,” Mr Sebil told the students.
He emphasized that students deserved to learn in an environment that reflected the quality of care they were expected to deliver in the future, and expressed gratitude to the hardworking tutors, staff and all stakeholders who continued to work tirelessly to maintain the high standards of the College.
GNA
FAA/AD