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A child-focused research and advocacy organization, Child Online Africa (COA), commemorating the World Teachers Day, has called on the government of Ghana to engage Civil Society and other stakeholders in its effort to restore quality in education in the country.
COA who campaigns for and with children and young people and their families to influence policies and change practices that affect Child Protection Online, Wellbeing and Literacy in Ghana and across Africa, believes that the collaboration between the government as a policy maker and the stakeholders would better address the shortcomings in the educational system especially pertaining to teachers.
According to a statement the non-governmental organization (NGO) issued on October 5, 2021, teachers were at the centre when Covid-19 struck and negatively impacted the economy of which educational sector was not spared, leading to nationwide shutdown of educational facilities and break in academic activities.
“When classroom learning resumed, teachers ensured that Covid -19 protocols are adhered to for safe learning environment. Teachers were the first point of call when learners showed symptoms of the virus infection” the statement read in part.
Therefore, holding the position that “teachers should not be immersed in old-fashioned preparation programs that equip them to deliver primarily traditional stand-alone, text-based instruction in self-contained classrooms”, they call for a concerted effort to restore the educational quality.
While seeking for the collaboration between the policy maker and the stakeholders, COA also asked for the deployment of technological tools to aid in the teaching and learning process.
“We also call for an upscale of Information technology in schools and other Educational facilities to improve the efficacy of teaching and learning in these trying times, while emphasizing the need for more skills training and equipment of teachers to be conversant with the deployment of technological devices in their daily activities of teaching and learning.”
Below is the full statement:
Place ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’ to restore Quality Education.
Child Online Africa (COA) joins the rest of the world to celebrate teachers today.
COA sees This year’s edition themed; ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’ as an appropriate reminder of the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic stemming from prolonged nationwide shutdown of Educational facilities, causing disruptions in academic activities, hereby posing a risk to the holistic formation of children especially those in Ghana and Africa at large. When classroom learning resume, teachers ensured that COVID-19 protocols are adhered to for safe learning environment. Teachers were the first point of call when some learners showed symptoms of the virus infection.
This is because we see Education at the crossroads now where teachers should not be immersed in old-fashioned preparation programs that equip them to deliver primarily traditional stand-alone, text-based instruction in self-contained classrooms.
The situation calls for a concerted effort at bringing education back to life and the need to develop sustainable strategies which will aid countries around the world including countries in Africa to wiggle out of the conundrum in order to build back better.
Even though the UNESCO/ILO recommendation concerning the status of teacher do not make Specific reference to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or globalization, the Recommendations broadly address issues relating to these (access to modern teaching, research and information resources, teaching methods, international exchange of information).
We urge governments to pursue a collaboration with Civil society and other stakeholders in policy formation to expedite the Educational recovery Process.
We also call for an upscale of Information technology in schools and other Educational facilities to improve the efficacy of teaching and learning in these trying times, while emphasizing the need for more skills training and equipment of teachers to be conversant with the deployment of technological devices in their daily activities of teaching and learning.
Signed
Awo Aidam Amenyah
Child Online Africa
