Background about faculty of education
- History
The University of Gondar (UoG) was officially established with its current status and autonomy in 2004. In 1954 the university was initially established as a Public Health College and Training Centre (PHC & TC) now known as the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. After a long journey the university has seven colleges, one institute, two faculties and one School in five campuses in 2017. Therefore, the Faculty of Education is one of the academic units of the University of Gondar which officially established as School of Education. The Faculty of education as a legal entity of the University appeared to be a budgeted academic wing in the 2009/10 fiscal year though it wasn’t in a position to commence its service by admitting students. The Faculty had two academic staffs and one secretary until January 2010. One of the academic staff was female who charged with responsibility coordinating the Faculty and the other male was assigned in the university Educational Quality Assurance and Audit office until the Faculty begins its regular duty of training students. The Faculty is assumed as a vital portion of the teaching –learning process of the University which takes a prime mission for preparing highly qualified professionals in the fields of education.
The Faculty of Education before the commencement of its academic service was situated at Tewodros Campus. Major organizational changes in terms of the assignment of academic staff have been observed since February 2010. Since August 2010 the Faculty was transferred to Maraki campus by sharing three offices and two classrooms from the School of Law. The Faculty had begun providing education and training since September 2010 with two departments i.e. Educational Planning and Management and Special Needs and Inclusive Education. During that time the Faculty of Education had a total of ten academic staff and three support staff. Out of the ten academic staff, four were from the department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education out of which two were assistant graduates with BA in Special Needs Education and the rest two were with MA degree in educational psychology and Special Needs Education. Of the six academic staff of the department of Educational Planning and Management, five were males and one was female.
The first batches of the Faculty of Education were 113 of which 95 were males and 18 were females. The number of students admitted in the department of Educational Planning and Management were 63 out of which 53 were males and 10 females. The number of students in the department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education was 50, of which 42 were males and 8 were females. The students from Educational Planning and Management were from two sources i.e. students who directly joined the University from preparatory classes who are fulfilling higher education entrance points and students drawn on advanced standing basis while students form Special Needs and Inclusive Education were directly joined the University from preparatory classes who are fulfilling higher education entrance points. The total number of students selected on advanced standing basis for the department of Educational Planning and Management were 12 males and 3 females. Besides, the Faculty began summer undergraduate programs in both departments in July 2011. The number of students who has been admitted/ enrolled in July 2011 was graduated in 2015. These who were graduated in the department of Educational Planning and Management were 504 students and in Special Needs and Inclusive Education were 24 students. Similarly in July 2013 the Faculty began Post Graduate Diploma programs under the department of Educational Planning and Management. The first batch of the Faculty was graduated in 2013. A total of 97 students were graduated from both departments in regular undergraduate program. So far six batches have been graduated since 2013.
Since its establishment, the Faculty is striving to expand its scope and service. The number of departments and programs are increasing from time to time. Currently the Faculty has three departments in undergraduate program including the department of Adult Education and Community Development which has been launched in 2015. The department has received its first batch 33 students in September 2016 in undergraduate program. In the same academic year the Faculty has opened three postgraduate programs. These are: MA in Educational Planning and Management, MA in School Leadership and MA in Special Needs and Inclusive Education. Besides, the Faculty began undergraduate extension program in Educational Planning and Management in 2014/2015. Such expansion of the programs makes the School of Education promoted to Faculty of Education since 2016.
Since the establishment of the faculty, over 1,500 professionals has been graduated. In this academic year (2016/17) the faculty has a total of 2075 students in all programs who are attending their education.
- Vision
Our vision is to be the leading societal problem-solving Faculty in the country by 2020.
- Mission
Our mission is to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the country by producing vibrant, compassionate and responsible citizens through societal needs tailored curricula; conducting problem solving research; and strengthening community engagement, and technology transfer.
- Core Values of the Faculty
Quality in all: strong commitment to high standards in all aspects of its educational activities, research, community engagements, and support services, and uses feedback from its participants and supporters to enhance its programs competency in an efficient way.
Customer first: We put the good of customers first and seek to develop responsible citizens committed to the common good.
Solidarity and Teamwork: Enhancing unity and forming cohesive teams determines our future success. Thus, we value solidarity and encourage team work in our process.
Sustainability: Promotes diversity in its policies and practices to prepare its learners to live and work successfully in an increasingly diverse society.
Invention and Innovation: Creativity and innovation as hallmark of our efforts, we are in a higher education industry where creativity and adaption to its changing environment and responds to the needs of the community.
Care for Staff: Our success is based on attracting, hiring, developing and retaining best employees.
Faithful to ethics: we comply to legal, social and professional ethics and norms which is crucial for our development; Practices of accountability, transparency, fairness, honesty, and objectivity in dealing with its constituencies.