Rector Calls For Paradigm Shift In Education

RECTOR OF Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), one of India's long distance learning institution operating in the country, Dr Abhishek Tyagi, has added his voice to the call for paradigm shift within Ghana's educational sector.

Dr Tyagi made the call in an interview with DAILY GUIDE on Thursday in Accra on SMU's Academic City Campus on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of a two-day educators international research conference titled: '1^st Annual Educators International Research Conference'.

The conference which provided the platform for researchers as well as other academicians at the advanced levels of study to share knowledge, was organised by Novan Education and Training, in collaboration with SMU.

Dr Tyagi lamented that it has been difficult to see positive changes needed for the advancement of the nation's educational sector taking place.

He stated that 'there are a lot of places where we hear this statement (change) and still we have a lot of problems in the sector and so we have to ensure that the change starts taking place.'

According to the rector, if stakeholders, particularly government are truly committed to advancing the nation's educational sector and creating jobs for graduate youth, then it was necessary that they brought about an end to the 'talk show' in addressing the challenges facing the sector.

Change, he said, 'Is required in every aspect of the way the education is delivered and how students receive their lessons.'

In continuing, Dr Tyagi mentioned that 'the most important thing is when students come out of the educational institutions, they should be more productive. They should be able to meet industry requirements. And the change is how practical education can be to make it more effective.'

According to him, 'Ghanaian students have a lot of potentials but until they are provided the right learning environment, they wouldn't be able to compete favourably on the global job market with students from other parts of the world.'

He stressed that it was about time that serious practical steps were taken by key players within the sector to ensure that the problems hindering the progress of education were addressed.

Earlier, Dr Tyagi observed that there was the need to provide students with the right learning environment to encourage them to take their lessons seriously.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Novan Education and Training, Miracule D. Gavor, in a presentation, urged mathematics teachers across the country to adopt new methods such as the Vedic Method in teaching in order to make the subject attractive to learners.

He also urged mathematics teachers to consistently update themselves with new developments within their field in order to provide learners the right lessons at any given time.

Meanwhile, in a consolidation message, Dean of SMU, Satya Vir Singh, urged participants at the conference to put into good use the information they acquired at the forum to bring about the change they so desired in their respective societies.

BY Melvin Tarlue