It’s been a very successful three day workshop for the head teachers of the Newly Qualified Teachers from OLA and Holy Child Colleges of Education, who have been posted in the Central and Western regions. The workshops ran concurrently in both regions with huge participation from the head teachers, 68 attending in total.
These Newly Qualified Teachers were student teachers on our teacher training programme last year. We have learnt that it is crucial that we sensitise their new head teachers to the Fast-track Transformational Teacher Training programme so that they can support the Newly Qualified Teachers to deliver the new active and play-based pedagogy.
The sensitisation workshops covered a range of important topics, including: why early childhood matters, the brain research, the need to change, how young children learn best and managing behaviour without the cane.
The head teachers were also taken to two kindergarten schools which have completed the two year teacher training programme. The kindergarten teachers have transformed their classrooms and teaching practice, making their classrooms ‘Model Practice Classrooms’. The head teachers were able to see first-hand how the activity and play based learning happens in the classroom.
After the workshops the head teachers shared with us that they are going to use their Newly Qualified Teachers to train the other teachers and even the nearby schools because they cannot enjoy this alone.
“This training has enlightened me about the importance of early childhood education, although my Newly Qualified Teacher has already started but I am really going to provide more support to her to continue to implement the programme” – Selorm Joy Ackotia Head Teacher from Brofoyedur D/A Kindergarten
“My school is in the refugee camp and we have been supported by UNICEF, they recently asked which area I wanted them to support me but haven’t responded to them yet, when I go back, I am going to ask them to support me at the kindergarten, because this training has been an eye opener, I have realised that the kindergarten needs to be supported more for a stronger foundation.” – Head teacher from Ampaim community DA primary – Ellembelle district.
Participants were hopeful that there would be an opportunity for future training to further increase their early years education knowledge, and hope that the training can be extended to the other districts.
