GES to place teachers under greater scrutiny

With effect from next year, the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports will place teachers under constant strict scrutiny to ensure that they fully comply with the directives of the New Educational Reform in order to sustain it.

In this regard, Directorates of Education of District Assemblies would be detailed and empowered to undertake routine inspections on students and more importantly monitor the performance of teachers in schools to ensure that the implementation of the reform programme keeps on track.

The Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Kwadwo O Mpiani who gave the hint at the 58th Speech and Prize-Giving Day and the 5th Graduation of Prempeh College at the weekend on the theme "The New Educational Reform: Its implication and Challenges for the Ghanaian Youth" said, a National External Inspectorate under the Education Ministry will also be detailed to intermittently embark on inspection tour in all the schools in the country to enhance efficient monitoring.

He said the government is working out appropriate and adequate compensation for teachers for them to give out their best to augment government's dreams of making the programme a success. "Government is therefore committed to motivating teachers with adequate incentives to ensure that they devote themselves fully to the implementation of the reform programme" the Chief of Staff added.

According to the Chief of Staff, the upgrading of Teacher Training Colleges into Diploma Awarding Institutions was part of government's package of motivation to equip teachers with the necessary competencies to enhance their teaching delivery. Distance Education, he said was also created for teachers to upgrade their capacities.

He noted, however, that even though the success of the programme largely depended on teachers, students also have their role to play by being disciplined and obedient to instructions, urging students of Prempeh College to let their motto "Suban ne Nimdee" (Good character and Knowledge) be their anchor.

Mr Mpiani however noted that despite adequate preparations made so far to ensure smooth implementation, challenges such as accommodation to meet students' population, teaching and learning materials, Science and Laboratory materials among others remain setbacks.

He disclosed that consultations have been concluded with the GETFUND for the construction of 8 block staff-flats for teachers in the school. This he said could reduce perennial teachers' accommodation problems in the school especially as student intake continues to increase each year.

The Headmaster of the school, Owusu A Achiaw revealed that until new classrooms and dormitories that can accommodate about 600 students are provided by government, the school will have no option than to cut down its intake of students from 600 per year to 450 due to the additional year added to the Senior High School.

This situation, the headmaster noted could deny most brilliant students the opportunity to study in their first choice schools.

By Gabriel Amoah