With the construction of the new schools in the Western Region progressing quickly the doors will soon be open to hundreds of kindergarten students. These schools will act as District Model Schools and will showcase kindergarten best practice. In order to achieve this the teachers in these schools will receive a one year Transformational Teacher Training (TTT) course beginning in November.
Before the training begins the new districts took part in an orientation visit to familiarise themselves with the programme. We were thrilled to host 27 key delegates from the three new districts last week at our Western Region office. The delegates included Ghana Education Service Assistant Directors, District Education Public Relations Officers (PRO) and Circuit Supervisors as well as the school head teachers, teachers and management committee members.
The main aim of the orientation visit was to introduce the participants to the key elements of the TTT programme, which will help to prepare them for the change they will soon see in themselves and their classrooms and students. The participants enjoyed observing some of the TTT classrooms and they marveled at what they saw. They visited four different schools who are currently on the programme, which allowed them to see the variation and the different techniques teachers use to teach in the classrooms.
All of the participants left Takoradi determined to do all they can to provide better learning opportunities for the children who they take care of in their classrooms.
Mr Payne, PRO Officer in Ahanta West District said; “This programme should run in all schools in my district not just a single school.” Mr Payne was also impressed with all of the teaching and learning materials he saw made from recycled materials; “…the materials are cheap in our environment and very easy to get to make teaching and learning materials.”
Mr Fredrick Barnes, AD Supervision in Ahanta West said; “I love the use of the centres because children can see and touch and manipulate objects in the classroom and they also get to know names of objects by seeing them which helps in communication.”
He also quoted a Chinese proverb, which we think sums up the TTT programme perfectly; “Tell me, I’ll forget. Show me, I’ll remember. Involve me, I’ll understand. This is how the TTT programme works.”
Mr Emmanuel Raph Cudjoe, head teacher in Ellembelle District added; “The orientation was an eye opener for us all and has really prepared us for the task ahead.”
We are delighted that all of the participants enjoyed the visit and it is clear that they all left excited and determined to implement the TTT programme in their schools to the best of their ability. We look forward to following their progress over the coming months, keep your eyes peeled for more updates very soon!
