New policy for training of teachers in the offing

Sekondi, Sept 01, GNA - New policy guidelines that would help training colleges to produce qualified and competent teachers for basic schools would soon be published.

Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, said the document would provide "some refreshing ideas" that would improve teacher education for quality teaching and learning.

He was delivering an address at the opening of the 46th Annual Conference Workshop of the Conference of Principals of Teacher Training Colleges (PRINCOF) at Sekondi on Tuesday.

The theme for the five-day conference, which is being attended by heads of all the 38 Teacher Training colleges in the country, is: Effective Teacher Training Programme - the Key to a Realistic Educational Development.

Prof Anamuah-Mensah said the new document included proposals that enjoins stakeholders including the teacher education universities, Ghana National Association of Teachers, parents and community leaders to play roles in the development of the curriculum.

He described teacher education as dynamic, complex and multi-faceted process that requires integration of different types of knowledge. The training colleges would keep profiles of each trainee teacher, which would be used to assess them.

He said the new policy guidelines redefines teacher training as a single process that is made up of pre-career training and in-service professional development.

"Teacher training should prepare teachers to be lifelong learners in this information age."

"There must be a shift from the traditional view of learning and teaching as a process of accumulating bits of information and isolated skills with the teacher as the reservoir of knowledge".

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, said PRINCOF had come a long way in its support for the Ghana Education Service and the government to implement laudable and far-reaching education programmes and initiatives.

He commended members of PRINCOF for maintaining "an appreciable measure of calm and order for effective functioning of their institutions.''

Mr Aidoo said the government had so far demonstrated its determination and political will to support the teacher training colleges in their quest to function effectively to produce quality teachers.

He said the government is aware of concerns raised by PRINCOF and Teacher Education Division about how the GETFund facility is benefiting such institutions.

Mrs Agnes Ofosu Koranteng, national president of PRINCOF said indiscipline in training colleges and appealed to the government to permit teacher-training colleges to be beneficiaries of the GETFund to improve facilities at these institutions.