Skills of teachers central to students' success

Published in the Daily Graphic on 29/03/2010, pg 11

Story: Matilda Attram
PROFESSIONAL qualification and skills of teachers have been identified to be central to the positive impact on the achievement levels of students.
This observation was made at a monthly seminar organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to help teachers build the needed capacity that will help to upgrade the performance of students in the classroom.
"Research reveals that teacher qualification and skills are among the most important factors in improving pupil/student performance".
The seminar was on the topic “teacher development in relation to teacher productivity in contemporary Ghana”.
The monthly seminar has been instituted by WAEC as part of its contribution to promote quality education service delivery in the country.
In a presentation, the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Justice Abboa-Offei, said any attempts to reform education and improve pupil and student performance were dependent on teachers.
He said teachers needed to make progress in their subject areas and teaching skills to grow in the profession as well as aspire to achieve excellence in professional standards.
He attested that education was a dynamic entity which required the development of teachers to enable them face any challenges.
Mr Abboa-Offei stated that the most effective teachers were experts in the methods of teaching and understood student development as part of their mastery of subjects they taught.
“Quality teachers are important to any educational system. The teacher needs to make progress in his/her subject area(s) and teaching skills, and how to grow in the teaching profession. He should also aspire to achieve stated standards to grow professionally in order to meet the demands of the changing educational system,” he said.
He also cited the support and contribution of organisations in charge of improving the educational system in the country as being of great influence to the professional development of the teachers.
“The role of school heads, universities, professional associations like the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), WAEC, Ministry of Education, GES, regional and district education officers and circuit supervisors to organise workshops, seminars and provide teaching materials and salary increment will also motivate our teachers to perform well,” Mr Abboa-Offei stated.
He stressed the need for newly trained teachers to receive much support to make progress in their subject and teaching areas and skills to help them grow in the profession, adding that “Teachers, in general, must benefit from continuous in-service training”.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr Simon Tsadidey, who is the former Principal of Peki College of Education, expressed concern about the country’s educational system and advised teachers to be committed and dedicated to improve the performance of their students in class.
He, therefore, appealed to the government and stakeholders to improve on the conditions of teachers, saying “If we are not paying them big salaries, let us provide the necessary teaching facilities in schools to allow them enjoy their work”.