The first Intensive Training Workshop (ITW) successfully came to an end on Friday 25 September. This workshop brought together headteachers and teachers from the nine schools in Shama District and the fifteen schools in Sekondi-Takoradi Metro that are now beginning their two years of Fast -track Transformational Teacher Training (FTTT). The workshop also brought together Ghana Education Service officers and Holy Child College of Education students who will be carrying out their year of teaching practice in these schools. One exciting addition to FTTT this year is that, included amongst the Shama District schools is the Sekondi School for the Deaf.

For the delivery of the training, we were delighted that nine trainers from Holy Child College of Education were joined by two practicing kindergarten teachers who have already completed the two-year FTTT programme. These eleven trainers will jointly continue to deliver all of the training workshops throughout the next two years. They have shown consistent commitment to the programme since they began their five-day Training of Trainers workshop in preparation for delivering the ITW to the participants.

The ITW was a fully packed five days, beginning with an Orientation Day to introduce the participants to the FTTT programme. The Orientation Day ceremony was officially opened by the Sekondi-Takoradi Metro Director of Education and present also were the former Regional Director of Education and the Shama District Director of Education. Their presence is an indication of Ghana Education Service endorsement of the FTTT programme. After the Orientation Day came four days of intensive training aimed at preparing participants to begin running the programme in their own classrooms.

The workshop was very successful, with excellent participation and enthusiasm from everyone. The participants all left excited to begin the transformation of their classrooms. Both the trainers and Sabre will be providing support to the schools over the coming weeks as they begin to implement the programme, and we all look forward to seeing how they progress and flourish.