Accra College of Education, Beijing Normal University to establish centre
Accra College of Education and the Beijing Normal University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the West African branch of the China-Africa Teacher Education Centre (CATEC) to strengthen teacher education, capacity building and international collaboration.
The MOU formed part of a broader partnership aimed at enhancing teacher training, research collaboration and professional development across Ghana and the West African sub-region.
A key component of the collaboration is the establishment of a dedicated centre at the Accra College of Education to serve as a hub for training teachers, educators and researchers using global best practices and modern methodologies.
Additionally, the partnership will facilitate capacity building through workshops, academic exchanges, research initiatives and the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into teaching and learning.
Therefore, the two institutions would work together to improve teacher education systems, promote knowledge sharing, strengthen professional competencies and support the development of quality education across Ghana and West Africa.
The Principal of the Accra College of Education, Professor Samuel Awinkene Atintono, and the Dean of the Faculty of Education at Beijing Normal University, Prof. Zhu Xudong, signed for their respective institutions.
Initiative
Speaking at the signing, a Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, said the initiative reflected the government’s strong commitment to teacher education and capacity building.
She emphasised that effective teaching depended on the quality and preparedness of teachers, stressing that “we cannot give what we do not have,” and therefore, investment in teacher development remained a national priority.
Prof. Dzisi added that the government was particularly encouraged by the establishment of a centre dedicated to training and mentoring teachers, adding that such an initiative would significantly improve the quality of teaching and learning outcomes across the country.
Partnership
For his part, Prof. Atintono explained that the partnership was the result of deliberate and sustained engagements between the two institutions.
He said the initial discussions began in 2025 following participation in an academic event in China, where contact was established with officials of the Chinese university.
Prof. Atintono added that the Chinese institution was chosen because of its global standing and leadership in teacher education, particularly in early childhood education and educational research.
He highlighted existing challenges in teacher preparation in Ghana and across sub-Saharan Africa, stating that not all teachers met the required professional standards.
Prof. Atintono explained that the gap underscored the need for targeted interventions aimed at improving teacher quality through continuous training and professional development.
The Principal stated that the establishment of the centre was a strategic response to these challenges, as it would provide access to world-class training, research resources and innovative teaching methodologies.
Significance
Prof. Zhu described the signing of the MOU as a significant milestone in China-Africa cooperation in education.
He expressed appreciation to the Accra College of Education for hosting the event and for its commitment to advancing teacher education.
Prof. Zhu highlighted the long history and global reputation of Beijing Normal University, noting that it was one of China’s leading institutions in teacher education and educational research.
He stated that the university had extensive experience in international collaboration and had trained students from numerous countries, including several from Africa.
Prof. Zhu explained that the China-Africa Teacher Education Centre aimed to strengthen teacher education systems, support capacity building, and promote policy dialogue between China and Africa.
