The Team Leader of Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) in Ghana Robin Todd says the Government’s Education reform Strategy would among other things shift the country’s education system from the current “chewing and pouring learning ” for examination pass to raising critical thinkers capable of solving societal challenges through innovation.
The New Basic Education Curriculum also seeks to inculcate in young minds the pride of being a Ghanaian, stressing the characteristics of honesty, Integrity and entrepreneurship.
The Education reform strategy comprises of review of the current Education Curriculum and Transforming Teacher Education and Learning.
Speaking at Koforidua in the Eastern region, Robbin Todd explained that the new reform is aspiring towards world class Education system which will equip young people to become life-long learners in the knowledge economy.
He said government’s T-TEL program is to raise the profile of the teaching Profession and Standards of delivery hence from October this year, all new entrants to the colleges of Education would be required to undertake Bachelors of Education degrees on curriculum distinctly aligned with National Teachers Standards (NTS) and National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework(NTECF).
“Aligning the new curriculum with these Standards will ensure that we train the teachers which Ghana needs to deliver a world class education System”.
Robbin Todd further explained that “the curriculum will be very practically focused -with 30% of the total assessment mark being related to practical assessments of teaching ability – and will focus on ensuring that teachers are confident in the use of learner – centred approaches to encourage critical thinking and Problem solving”
Teacher License
Todd stated that after completion of the four year Bachelors of Education Degrees, the graduate teachers will be employed by GES to teach for one year in a Basic School for assessment and validation based on professional values and attitude, Knowledge and Practice before he or she is issued license or otherwise.
Capacity building for CoE
As part of the T-TEL project initiated by Government of Ghana with $17 million funding support from UK Department for International Development (DFID), all 46 public Colleges of Education in Ghana have for the past three years undergone numerous capacity building activities in preparation for the roll out of the new four year bachelor of education curriculum starting 2018/2019 admission year in September this year .
As part of the Project about Ghc2.5 million was disbursed through the Challenge Fund to 31 colleges of Education in the country to undertake and implement diverse projects centred on enhancing quality teaching and learning.
The beneficiary Colleges and stakeholders are meeting in Koforidua, to present achievement, challenges and lessons to be synchronized through a common platform to serve as a guide for enhancing teacher training and teaching skills.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5/Kojo Ansah
