Presbyterian College of Education builds capacity of teachers
An outreach programme, introduced by the Presbyterian College of Education (PCE), Akropong, to build the capacity of teachers at the basic level to help improve their performance and that of students, is making progress.
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It includes mentorship, workshops and practical training for teachers.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Principal of PCE, Rev. Samuel Yeboah Antwi, said the rationale behind the project was for the college to ascertain the performance of teachers and help them improve in all aspects of their teaching skills.
“Teachers are the foundation upon which our educational system stands. As an institution mandated to train teachers, we are not only interested in training them but also how they are performing in the classrooms and how best to improve their performance,’’ he said.
First session
Rev. Antwi explained that the first session of the project was organised in May this year for 1,960 junior high school teachers from eight districts in the Eastern Region, while the next session of the programme would be held in September.
The districts were Akuapem-North, Akuapem-South, New Juaben, Suhum, Adoagyiri, Nsawam, Ayensuano and Upper West Akyem.
He said the capacity-building workshop was specifically organised for teachers of English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Basic Design and Technology and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and appealed to the government and corporate institutions to support it.
Rev. Antwi said there was the need for teachers to build their capacity and expertise on a regular basis to enhance their performance and delivery, and added that “the fact that you have been trained as a teacher does not mean you don’t require further training and guidance’’.
Periodic training
“Teaching is a professional art which requires periodic training, reminder and exposure to all of its facets, whether new or old. Capacity building goes a long way in making any professional stay on top of a job and deliver as expected and required,’’ he stated.
“We do not charge any fees during these workshops because we believe that it is about the future of this country. The Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana supported us with some funds but we need more support to organise the programme on a regular basis and expand it to other districts. Our vision is that every basic and junior high school teacher in this country will benefit from the project,’’ he stated.