History

Gondar College of Teachers’ Education (GCTE) was first established as Teachers’ Training Institute (TTI) in 1981. It is situated in an area of more than 300,000 square meters at Gondar City. As TTI, it had produced a great number of certificate teachers to the region in particular and Ethiopia in general.

In 1995 by Amhara Regional State proclamation number 9/1995, it was upgraded to college level according to the New Education and Training Policy of the country. This makes it is the first education college established in the region. It is accountable to Amhara National Regional Education Bureau.  The College is producing professional teachers in certificate, diploma and degree levels for both primary cycle (1-4) and second cycle (grades 5-8) of primary education. Besides, GCTE has the mandate to conduct research activities in various aspects of education.

In order to achieve these goals the college runs three separate programs: summer in -service teacher education, evening extension and regular programs. The summer mainly trains teachers of the first cycle for upgrading purposes, the evening extension and the regular programs are undertaking trainings for both cycles of primary education.

As the the first education college established in Amhara National Regional State, Gondar College has accomplished several duties. Before being Teachers training institute, it started its activities in 1980 in summer program with 800 in-service teachers recruited by the Ministry of Education from Dire-Dawa, Addis Ababa and Amhara region. In 1981, it commenced its regular certificate program by 200 students assigned from the Ministry of education.

In 2000, the Ministry of Education conducted distance education project entitled project 17000 at national level to upgrade certificate level teachers into a diploma level. This paved a way for the college to play a significant role to upgrade hundreds of certificate teachers to diploma level. The college had provided the training for 500 candidates recruited from Afar, Benishangule-Gumuz and Amhara including Kemissie, Awi and Sekota. The college had accomplished its mission with the at most efficiency and effectiveness. The college had also participated in preparing modules for such project.

In 2003, the college had prepared regional instructional textbooks for grades 5, 7 and 8. Before the materials were implemented a series of workshops and trainings were given for primary teachers.

In 2004, Gondar College provided academic and administrative support when the educational bureau established three additional colleges of Debre Birhan, Desse and Debre markos. This includes provision of curricular materials and other facilities. Similar assistance was offered to Benishangule-Gumuz region during establishement of Gilgel Beles College.

In 2005, the college created a partnership/affiliation with Bahirdar University in offering courses in five subject areas for degree program students in three different programs: regular, evening and summer programs. This has enhanced the capacity of many high schools at Amhara region.

Since 2005, Gondar College was the first to establish a model center for college-school partnership and establishing 9 different cluster centers covering all the cost it required. Moreover, it had given successive short term trainings and workshops for primary school teachers coming from 19 linkage schools.

Generally from 2005- 2007, in partnership with Save the Children, Norway trainings had been given to 727 male, 513 female with a total of 1240 primary school teachers  based on conducting situational analysis in Gondar city, Dembia ,Chilga and other woredas on continuous assessment, preparing lesson plans, active learning methods, action research,  utilizing science kit, preparing and utilizing instructional aides. Besides, the college school linkage training is still continuing.

Sine 2017 Gondar College has signed a memorandum of understanding with University of Gondar to work together in many aspects including capacity building for college staff and similar cooperation works.

In 2018 Gondar College was elected as center of excellence for Colleges of Amhara region after competing and winning the competition with nine regional colleges. Since then, it is conducting various activities to enhance its capacity as center of excellence for the Region.

Since its establishment in 1981 to 2019, the college had graduated 26409 male, 18483 female with a total of 44,892 teachers. Among these, 3221 (2706 male, 475 female) were graduates in degree program.

By : Asaminew Dubale

GCTE,

Department of Social Science,History Unit,

Email: asetiglid2004@gmail.com