St Francis College of Education Achieves Record 135 First-Class Graduates at 18th Congregation

St Francis College of Education in Hohoe has marked its 18th Congregation Ceremony by graduating its highest-ever number of first-class students since the introduction of the Bachelor of Education programme. Out of a total of 459 graduates, 135 achieved First Class honours, signaling a significant milestone for the institution. The ceremony, themed around the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching, brought together education stakeholders, government officials, and the clergy to celebrate academic excellence and discuss the evolving role of the teaching profession in Ghana.

The 2025 graduating cohort comprised 270 men and 189 women. Beyond the record-breaking first-class count, 257 students earned Second Class Upper Division, 61 secured Second Class Lower, and six received Third Class honours. Acting Principal Dr. Christopher Dewodo highlighted the college's academic growth, noting that five lecturers recently completed their PhDs, bringing the total number of doctorate holders on the faculty to twelve. This academic advancement is complemented by international collaborations, including a partnership with Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Belgium, which aims to enhance the quality of teacher training and global exposure for students.

The congregation’s theme, “Empowering Future Educators: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” served as a focal point for the keynote addresses. Dr. Dewodo and guest speakers, including Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah and Bishop Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, urged the new teachers to embrace technology while maintaining the essential human qualities of empathy and moral integrity. While acknowledging the transformative power of AI, they cautioned graduates to use these tools responsibly to supplement, rather than replace, pedagogical fundamentals. Dr. Dewodo also used the occasion to call for increased investment in college infrastructure, specifically mentioning the need for further support to complete essential projects like the government-funded hostel.

The event culminated in the presentation of special awards to outstanding graduates for their exceptional academic performance. Bless Kpogah was honored as the Overall Best Graduating Student, while Josephine Denyo was recognized as the Best Graduating Female. As these new educators prepare to enter the national workforce under the administration of President John Mahama, their record-breaking performance sets a high benchmark for teacher training institutions across the country. The college leadership expressed optimism that this cohort would lead a digital transformation in Ghanaian classrooms, blending traditional pedagogical values with modern technological proficiency.