Bolgatanga: Mr. Williams Sebil, the Principal of the Nursing Training College in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, has appealed to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to undertake regular visits to Health Training Institutions across the country. He emphasized that such visits would provide the Committee with firsthand insight into the operational realities of these institutions, which would help address their challenges and enable them to produce highly qualified health professionals to enhance healthcare delivery in the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Principal made these remarks during a matriculation ceremony for first-and second-year students at the College. He revealed that for the 2023/2024 academic year, the College received 968 applications for first-year students and 709 applications for second-year students for the 2024/2025 academic year. However, only 350 and 366 candidates were admitted, respectively. Mr. Sebil highlighted that this selective process reflects the institution's commitment to maintaining high academic and professional standards. He cautioned the new students that the College would not compromise on quality and is committed to producing well-trained, disciplined, and competent nurses.
Mr. Sebil urged students to show genuine interest in their training by attending lectures regularly, studying diligently, participating actively in clinical sessions, obeying rules, and developing the right attitudes. He also noted the government's decision to maintain the allowance for nursing trainees, which he described as a testament to the value placed on the profession and the critical role these trainees will play in the healthcare system. This allowance, he said, eases the financial burden on students and families, enabling them to focus on their training with dedication and peace of mind.
The Principal pointed out that the College relies solely on school fees for its development and expressed concern over the irregular and slow payment of fees, which delays many important projects affecting the College's growth. He appealed to parents and guardians to cooperate with management by paying school fees promptly, stressing that this is not just a financial responsibility but an investment in the future of their wards and the nursing profession in Ghana.
Mr. Sebil acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by some students and called on Municipal and District Assemblies, Non-Governmental Organisations, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to support these students with scholarships and financial aid. He commended the government for its unwavering commitment to nursing education and appealed to other stakeholders to support the College in delivering on its mandate of producing highly skilled professional nurses for the country and beyond.