By Winfrida Kamwana

Mchinji, April 5, Mana: Students who have completed their studies at Mchinji Teachers Training College (TTC) have been urged to serve with integrity in the various schools they will be assigned inorder to develop and grow the education sector.

Mchinji Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Joyce Hamusini said this during a send-off ceremony organized by Mchinji TTC for its outgoing students under IPTE 18.

Hamusini said there is a challenge of teacher-pupil ratio as most schools have a few teachers compared to the number of pupils attending classes.

"The teacher pupil ratio has always been a challenge, but we expect that this is the beginning of a solution to the problem as we have witnessed 573 outgoing students today and we know it is a gradual process but the graduation of these students is one step closer to handling the problem," said Hamusini.

She further said the education department is pushing to train more teachers in the special needs department, so that learners who have special needs should not be left out in the process of inclusive education.

Hamusini further asked the students to respect one another and act as role models to their learners as well as people in their communities.

Concurring with her, Mchinji TTC Principal, McLoud Nkhata said witnessing the students' sendoff is a sign that their work has paid off and hopes that as they leave the college, they will be able to excel to greater heights.

"We expect that these students will not only stop here but will have the heart to go further with their education, such as pursuing degrees or PhDs, so that they can serve the nation in many ways as possible," said Nkhata.

Nkhata said the event was not only to celebrate the students but also as a way of reminding them that they have accomplished so much despite the challenges they faced, and believe that they will continue to excel even when they leave the college.

President of the Student Representative Council, Peter Kalonga, said the sendoff will act as a reminder to them to always work hard to achieve the goals they have set in life.

"As we go out, we will apply all the lessons we have learnt at the college and will engage one another in trying to build a better educational sector for both learners and teachers," said Kalonga.

About 573 students have graduated from the college, with 291 of them being female students and 282 being male.

The sendoff is the first of its kind at the college.