There was pomp and colour at Nabongo Teachers Training College (NTTC) in Bungoma County, where 550 graduates were commissioned to the teaching profession during its 15th graduation ceremony.
The ceremony was graced by Dr Benard Busaka, lecturer at Maseno University who congratulated the graduates for their sheer hard work, dedication and discipline that saw them graduate.
He further hailed the management and staff for leading the way in promoting learner-centred training at the college as envisaged in the teaching curriculum.
“Go and practice what you have learnt at Nabongo Teachers College and be good ambassadors of the college. Teaching can either give you blessings or curses depending on how you practice,” challenged Dr Busaka.
He added, “Do not go there and waste someone’s son or daughter but instead be the change maker. Give your children in class the best experience they will remember you with in many years. As you step into the future, remember that the world has endless opportunities. Uphold professionalism in your teaching career.”
The College Director, Mrs Dorothy Saiah conveyed her gratitude to the parents and other stakeholders for their continued support of the college which has seen improvement in infrastructural development and student enrolment.
“When we opened doors in September 2007, we had the mission to empower the next generation of educators and over the years we have witnessed growth and transformation in various disciplines,” she said.
The College continues to churn out competent and disciplined teachers who are not just knowledgeable but innovative and empathetic.
“Being the pioneers of the Competency-Based Curriculum, you have been trained not just to teach but to empower, nurture skills and cultivate critical thinking,” she told the graduates.
Madam Director asked the graduates to uphold professionalism, integrity and dedication.
“In the words of Nelson Mandela, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
She emphasised the need to dream big, work hard and remain united as envisaged in the college mission of nurturing quality educators.
“As you step out into the world, take with you the lessons learned, the friendship forged and the knowledge gained. You are the torchbearers of hope, the builders of dreams and the champions of change. Go forth and make us proud,” the soft-spoken Director asked the graduates.
Mr Peter Owiye, the college Chief Principal thanked everyone present and celebrated the collective hard work of the entire staff of Nabongo Teachers Training College and more importantly the academic achievement of the graduates.
Mr Owiye took time to highlight the history of the college when it opened its doors on the first day in September 2007 to what the college is today.
The college has produced and continues to produce graduate teachers who are spread across the region contributing to the growth of the education sector in the country.
He acknowledged the college founders, the great couple Mr Francis Saiah and Mama Dorothy Auma Saiah for the visionary foundation laid.
The principal reminded the stakeholders that Nabongo TTC is fully CBC compliant with super staff who are well-trained and adequately retooled to implement the CBC philosophy which is implemented professionally.
The teaching staff presents a very good mix of skills, the college has retired staff with excellent experience arising from years of public service and also young graduates who are also agile and possess state-of-the-art skills in teaching.
“The interest and welfare of our learners is our priority. We have invested in infrastructure to support learning and by that, we have modern learning facilities and a robust internet lab that has made it possible for learners to surf uninterruptedly thanks to a 24-hour solar-enabled power supply,” he said.
He asked the graduates to go out into the labour market and confidently perform because they had been given the power to do so.
Several graduates were commissioned to serve the country with commitment and dedication as teachers and given the power to read and do all that pertains to certificates and diplomas in DTE, ECDE, PTE, DPTE, DECTE and UDECTE.
