Teachers advised to embrace modern teaching, learning methods
A renowned Ghanaian educationist, Mr Anis Haffar, wants teachers to move with the times by embracing modern teaching and learning tools.
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He wants teachers to stop the practice of preparing lesson notes and weekly forecasts manually because, as he puts it, “It is a backward practice.”
According to Mr Haffar, it makes no sense in the 21st century to still prepare lesson notes manually since better alternatives are available for them to ensure effective and efficient teaching and learning in schools.
Mr Haffar made the remarks during the second edition of the Ga Central Municipal Teachers and Workers Awards held at the Liberty International Preparatory School at Lomnava in the Greater Accra Region.
He explained that it was an outdated practice for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to still insist that teachers, particularly those at the basic and senior high school levels, should prepare lesson notes manually, since the practice did not encourage the development of the 21st-century student.
The celebration was held on the theme: “Stepping up the foundation of education: The role of the trained teacher.”
Mr Haffar preferred that teachers would prepare their lesson notes and weekly forecasts electronically or digitally, as that would help facilitate child-centred teaching approaches and encourage students’ development.
Awards
Mr Haffar, who was the guest speaker, said when teachers prepared lesson notes and weekly forecasts manually, information contained in such materials were only limited to the teachers and not their students, but when it was done digitally and shared with students, it guided the students in their studies.
He stated that teachers should serve as facilitators rather than dictators to their students, adding that the era where teachers were the sole sources of information was over, so they should be prepared to make themselves relevant in the present age.
Mr Haffar, therefore, entreated teachers to learn how to use technology in the discharge of their duties.
Hard work
The Ga Central Municipal Director of Education, Ms Denise D. O. Welbeck, said “inasmuch as there may be setbacks for teachers to teach effectively and efficiently, some, with tact, exhibit great professionalism by going all out.”
She said committed and dedicated teachers were needed to ensure quality education at all levels; hence, teachers who showed such traits needed to be recognised and honoured.
Examples
The acting Greater Accra Regional Education Director, Dr Hilda Eghan, urged teachers to continue to do their best. She also charged recipients of the awards to continue to justify their selection and also serve as examples to others.
The Presiding Member (PM) for the Ga Central Municipal Assembly, Mr Sherrif Fattah, extolled teachers for their contributions towards the development of the human resource base of the country.
He said teachers ought to be celebrated for their work since they were part of “the critical human resource the country needs to develop.”
AWARD WINNERS
TEACHERS CATEGORY
Salomey Antwi KG
Gifty Obeng Primary
Philip Zanu JHS/Maths
Anita Quao Primary Overall
Betty Vegba SPED
Rose Frimpong French
Robert Asante ICT
Vasty Afedo Mathematics
Ebenezer C. Tetteh General
BEST SCHOOLS CATEGORY
Salvation Army Basic 1 Best Kindergarten
Odorgonno Model Basic 1 Best Primary and JHS
Odorgonno Model Basic 1 Best Performing in BECE 2016
Anyaa Com. Exp 1 JHS Most Improved at BECE 2016
Odorgonno Model Basic 1 Overall Best 2016 BECE (public)
Plantinum Montessori School Overall Best 2016 BECE (Private)
SPECIAL AWARDS TEACHERS
Charles Gyimah Greta ‘D’ SHEP. 2 Basic School
Godwin Amuh Odorgonno Model 1 Basic School
Veraqueen Aheto Anyaa M/A 1 Basic School
Felicia Sarpong Anyaa Community 1 Basic School
Kenneth Amekuedi Anyaa M/A 1 Basic School
Beverly Nartey National 2nd Best (SHS French)