Professor George K.T. Oduro has expressed the need for the Ghana Education Service to create a support system for teachers. According to him, this will help to facilitate the application of learner-centred teaching approaches in the classroom.
The immediate past Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, explained the need to achieve the purpose for which the standard-based curriculum was introduced. Dr. Oduro believes that teachers should be equipped with requisite knowledge and skills.
Additionally, he intimated this will help in areas of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) as an interactive tool. He further argued that this will make students more creative and reflective in the classroom.
“Teachers need to be supported to enable them to uphold good teaching orientations. This is because no matter the effectiveness of a teacher; little achievement can be recorded if the requisite teaching-learning materials, laboratory equipment and professional support are absent or non-available in the school system”.
Equitable education for students
Speaking at the 6th Quadrennial (53rd) Delegates Conference of the Agona Municipal branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Prof. Oduro lauded GNAT for transitioning from the salary increase-focused advocacy.
The event was on the theme: “GNAT @90: Equipping the Teacher with Contemporary Teaching Methods for Quality Education Delivery in Agona.”
Prof Oduro further commended the teachers for opting for a conference theme that had a direct bearing on quality enhancement of teacher professional practice in the classroom.
“The theme is central to Target 4.1 of SDG 4 which mandates governments to put in place strategies that would ensure that By 2030, … all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education, leading to effective learning outcomes.”
Support teaching and learning
In a bid to support the teaching endeavour, Prof Oduro advised teachers to make the standard-based curriculum more impactful. According to him, it is crucial to have a teaching model that places the student at the centre of the teaching-learning process.
He also disclosed that it will be prudent to view teaching as a facilitation act.
“It is important, therefore, that the GES ensures that logistics to support teaching and learning and the requisite professional development, necessary for enhancing teaching and learning for sustainable development, are provided.
“The GNAT should also demonstrate practical commitment to the advancement of e-teaching and e-learning among its members; by advocating for sustained capacity strengthening of teachers in the use of e-teaching tools. By so doing, the professionalism of teachers will be ensured as they cope with the demands of the standards-based curriculum”.
In concluding, Prof. Oduro urged teachers to develop a more enduring attitude towards the accomplishment of the SDG goal. He argued that, they must develop a stance which yields better results than their conventional delivery.
“We cannot succeed in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the year 2030 and achieve the goals underlying the standard-based curriculum if we do not adopt a more learner-centred and democratic approach to teaching and move away from the examination-focused teaching”.
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