Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-02-27 06:50:26
Pre-tertiary education teacher unions in Ghana are urging political parties to incorporate a review of the Free Senior High School/ Technical, Vocational and Training (SHS/TVET) program into their election manifestoes in order to achieve the desired outcomes. They believe that the policy should be depoliticized and transformed into a national initiative overseen by the Ghana Education Service, rather than the Free SHS Secretariat.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) are advocating for these changes to enhance the quality of pre-tertiary education in the country. They have outlined five key issues and recommendations in a document titled “Demands to the political parties on education delivery in the country for consideration and incorporation into their election manifestoes”, which was launched in Accra recently.
The document, co-signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah, NAGRAT President Eric Angel Carbonu, and CCT-GH President King Awudu, emphasizes the importance of accountability in fulfilling promises made by politicians regarding education policies. They aim to guide politicians in making well-informed and effective policy decisions by presenting issues and solutions that are crucial to the education sector.
One of the primary concerns highlighted in the document is the public perception that educational policies are often designed to gain votes rather than to improve educational quality. The unions argue that policies are frequently not allowed to be fully implemented and evaluated, leading to a lack of coherence in interpreting their impact.
Regarding the Free SHS/TVET program, the unions acknowledge that it has increased access and participation in education, but they note that budgetary allocations have not kept pace with enrollment figures, resulting in a decline in overall education funding. They also point out challenges related to the implementation of the policy, including resource constraints leading to the introduction of a double-track system.
To address these issues, the unions recommend that stakeholders, including parents, be involved in school management to ensure effective operations. They also suggest that school heads should not be solely responsible for addressing policy lapses. Additionally, the unions advocate for curriculum reform in teacher education, the use of the first language as the medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Basic Six, incorporation of Information Communication Technology in teaching and learning, and improvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education.
Other issues raised in the document include the demand for learning materials, timely payment of capitation grants, the depoliticization of the school feeding program, provision of free sanitary pads, and better working conditions for teachers. The unions hope that by addressing these concerns and implementing their recommendations, the quality of education in Ghana will be significantly improved.
Overall, the teacher unions are calling for a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to education policy-making in Ghana, with a focus on enhancing the quality of education for all students. They aim to hold politicians accountable for their promises and ensure that education policies are designed with the best interests of students and teachers in mind.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
