The Upper West Regional Director of Education of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Madam Alice Ellen Abeere-Inga accompanied by the Upper West Regional Coordinator of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Madam Sarah Hauru, and the Public Relations Officer of the Upper West Regional Directorate of Education, Mr. Amos Gyetuo, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile on Wednesady 17th June 2026.
Participating in the meeting were the following staff and management members of UBIDS: the Pro- vice-chancellor, Prof. Issaka Osumanu Kanton, the Registrar, Dr. Job Asante, the Director of the University Relations, Dr. Fidelis Z. Tang and the Dean of the School of Education and Life-Long Learning, Dr. Jane Y. Lobnibe.
The visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between UBIDS and the Ghana Education Service (GES), particularly regarding the University’s proposed Basic Practice School initiative, which will commence with Kindergarten One (KG 1).
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Derbile underscored the critical role of education in national development and stressed on the importance of strengthening collaboration between UBIDS and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to advance educational development in the Upper West Region and Ghana as a whole.
The Vice-chacellor highlighted the University’s proposed Basic Practice School Initiative under the School of Education and Life-long Learning, which is intended to support quality basic education by providing student-teachers with opportunities for practical teaching and learning experiences. He noted that UBIDS had already taken initial steps towards operationalizing the Initiative, including the provision of some basic facilities. However, the Vice-Chancellor identified staffing as one of the key challenges confronting the Initiative and appealed to the Regional Directorate of Education for support in that regard.
The Prof. Derbile further expressed the University’s readiness to work closely with the Ghana Education Service and welcomed technical guidance and expert advice to ensure the successful establishment and effective operation of the UBIDS Basic Practice School.
The Regional Director of the GES, commended the University for the Basic Practice School Initiative, describing it as a laudable intervention that would contribute significantly to the delivery of quality basic education as it would provide practical learning opportunities for student-teachers to equip them with skills for quality teaching. She assured UBIDS of her Directorate’s willingness to explore possible avenues of support, including temporary staffing arrangements and other collaborative measures where feasible.
Prof. Derbile welcomed the opportunity for collaboration between the University and the GES and charged the Pro Vice-chanellor and other staff of the university to follow up for further deliberations.
The visit concluded with an inspection of the facility earmarked for the UBIDS Basic Practice School Initiative. The Dean of the School of Education and Life-Long Learning, Dr. Jane-Frances Y. Lobnibe, explained that given that teaching practice and practicum are integral components of teacher education, the facility would provide students with opportunities to translate theoretical knowledge acquired into practical teaching experiences.
Dr. Lobnibe expressed optimism about the future expansion of the project indicating that over the next five years it is expected to expand to include lower primary, upper primary and Junior High School levels. According to her, the facility would provide a comprehensive learning environment for the development of teaching competencies.