Biya creates Higher Teachers Training College in UB.

This will be accompanied by an order of the Minister of Higher Education, to lay down the system of study, teaching and how the students of the institution will be assessed and evaluated.

The University of Buea currently has 11 schools and faculties. The HTTC will thus fortify its flagship contribution to nation building, making it more than ever before a place to be and by extension, cementing the University of Buea as a citadel of learning.

Enter Vice Chancellor of UB

The Vice Chancellor of UB, Prof Horace Ngomo Manga, who is currently in Garoua for the University Games, reacting to the creation of the college on national radio, lauded the move by the President.

He said it aligns with the Head of State’s vision of bringing higher education closer to the population by making access to teaching programmes within the reach of all citizens. 

“We look forward to hosting this new establishment. It is a huge progress for the University of Buea, as it will have a lot of impact. It will have a huge economic impact on the town as there will be an influx of students, which is a good thing,” the Vice Chancellor stated.

He added that UB was one of the few State Universities left without an HTTC, hence the new college will be a great boost to the training courses offered by UB and also to the local economy. 

“It is an additional school with a different mission. Its curriculum will respond to the syllabi proposed by the GCE and Baccalaureate Boards, as it will train teachers for General Education. This new training college is a response to the need for more teachers for the new Secondary and High Schools being created by the State,” Prof Ngomo explained.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the creation of the HTTC will improve the overall quality of education in the country, as the teachers trained will not only teach in government Secondary Schools, but also private schools. 

He said students, be they in public or private schools, deserve to be taught by well-trained high-quality teachers as they all face the same GCE and Baccalaureate Board exams.

Prof Ngomo called on the population to take advantage of the new opportunities that will come about as a result of the creation of the HTTC.

“I urge the population to invest more because an additional school means economic impact. We will need more housing, food, transportation for the new population that will come in as a result of this school. We will also need more security, roads and layouts. It will lead to the extension of the town and the economy,” he said.

Buea population reacts

Meanwhile, the population of Buea has expressed joy and satisfaction with the creation of the HTTC. To some elite, students and parents, it is an answered prayer.

The Member of Parliament and Youth Representative in Buea, Hon Malomba Esembe, on behalf of the youth in his constituency, thanked the President of the Republic for this new training college, which, he said, will greatly impact the local population. He added that it will also be of great help to students who could not go out of the town for higher training.

According to Buea inhabitant, Catherine Mbi, it is a very good initiative and wonderful innovation for the university. 

She added that the new college will complement the Technical Teachers Training College, ENSET in Kumba, as it will help train professionals who, upon completion of studies, can be self-employed.