MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY -Reminds me of Joy Standard Sch

Feb 21: MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
-Reminds me of Joy Standard Sch

I was media consulting for Stephen Donkor, the director of Joy Standard Schools in Kumasi at his office when he received a call from a male student's father from Canada.

I heard Mr. Donkor speak:
"Please, whenever I speak to your son in English he responds in Twi. I don't understand why but he wouldn't tell me. Please, why is it so? "

I couldn't hear the caller but after their conversation Mr. Donkor briefed me that unknown to him, the student was transferred from a school in Canada to the Ghanaian school, Joy Standard, to learn and speak Twi well.
"Now I understand, " he remarked.

Growing up at Maase in Offinso in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, I frequented my neighbours' house and always heard their dad, Mr Amponsah, retired English language instructor, respond to them in Twi as they spoke English.
But he always corrected them when they erred in the English language.

My father wouldn't speak English to me but always corrected me when I erred.
And I always asked him whatever I didn't understand in Twi and he always coached me.

I apply the same principle to my children and I realise a balance of good Twi and English in them.
And more so, as I wholly uphold the L1 Policy (80% local language, 20% other) especially in public schools (before primary 4) , I make sure their teachers strictly apply it to them even when others may not prefer that for their wards.
People close to me shudder at how I speak standard Twi with my children and give them the translations in English.
This has tremendously improved their transfer of learning skill.

I, this day, advise all and sundry to do their best possible to let their children learn and use their mother language well as it enhances their transfer of learning skill.

LEARNING📖MATTERS, therefore, implores the Ghanaian National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) particularly to consider this admonition because the private schools overemphasise the English language at the expense of our invaluable indigenous ones.

Together change is possible!
Possible is everything!


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E: okeditor5@gmail.com

THE CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH -Chief Psychiatrist raises concerns

THE CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH
-Chief Psychiatrist raises concerns

Oftentimes we downplay issues that lead to the child's suicidal tendencies and such attitudes from society have led to avoidable suicides.

The Chief Psychiatrist and first Chief Executive Officer of Ghana's Mental Health Authority, Dr Akwasi Osei, has intimated the need for the general public to understand that mental illness is not a respecter of age.
Adding that the child is more vulnerable than the adult because the child is not experienced in life to bear difficulties to certain levels.

Dr Osei has raised depression as the major trigger to suicidal tendencies in both the child and the adult.
He has raised issues of sudden disinterest and withdrawal, sleep disorders, loneliness, and shabby dressing, among others as early warning signs of mental illness.

With the school child, insults from parents for low performance in class or exam, prolonged ridicule because of body size or height, attribution of an exceptionally brilliant girl to witchcraft, can gravely destabilise the mind.

He has also mentioned heartbreak among girls in relationships as a pervasive cause of mental illness.
The use of tramadol, weed, cocaine and alcohol among boys, according to Dr Osei, must be tackled seriously to avoid mental illnesses.

He spoke on Obuasi-based Shaft 98.1 News@6pm co-hosted by Aboagye Dacosta on Tuesday.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
F: Osei Kuffour OK
E: okeditor5@gmail.com

DEFYING DISABILITY LIMITATIONS -Indomitable Kojo Ellimah

Wed, Feb 20, 2019,
Social Justice Day

DEFYING DISABILITY LIMITATIONS
-Indomitable Kojo Ellimah

"I remember spending endless times at the hospital and then later at some herbalist centres.

Then when I started school I had no consciousness that I was " different ".
In Nursery 2 (or Kindergarten, I'm not sure!) my class started rehearsals for the annual 6th March Independence parade. It was always a sense of pride to be selected to march.

So I did rehearsals with my class. Anytime I marched my classmates made fun of me. I did not understand what was going on. Then our class teacher called Auntie Christie told me one morning that I could not join the team to march. I cried uncontrollably that day, and asked her to tell me why. Sadly she didn't. I was later to realize it was because of my disability.

Growing up my sisters were over-protective of me. Again I did not understand why, till much later.

My family was phenomenal in those days. I remember my grandmother who brought me up allowed me to do everything " normal" kids did. I fetched water. I could pound fufu. I could sweep. This training prepared me for later life, especially when I went to boarding school (Accra Academy) where I was expected to do things by myself. "
- Richard Kojo Ellimah

Kojo was born in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana some 40years ago.

He was not physically challenged but at age 3 he started suffering from poliomyelitis.

Kojo defied the disability limitations and started his formal educational life at the first private school in the Adansi area, Queen Egyima International School, popularly called Auntie Bea, established in 1978.

He proceeded to Christ The King Secondary School in Obuasi for his GCE, "O" Level.

Then to Accra Academy to obtain the "A" Level  with greats like Bola Ray (the Chief Executive Officer of media giant EIB Network) and Uncle Ato (renowned gospel musician).

At the Ghanaian Institute of Journalism (GIJ) Kojo obtained Diploma in Communication with internationally celebrated ace undercover journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas (Tiger Eye PI), master communicator Akwasi Sarpong (BBC), award winning investigative journalist, Raymond Archer (Enquirer newspaper), versatile Ivy Heward-Mills, among others.

Unlimited Kojo obtained 1st Class Honours in Development Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and his Masters in Development Planning and Management in the same university in Ghana.

Further, he obtained Executive Masters in Management (Sustainable Development) from Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands.

Kojo's awards include Les Aspin Fellowship, Australia Awards Fellowship, Canadian Education and Training Awards for Africa and, Netherlands Fellowship,etc.

For over 10years he has distinguished himself in the civil society space in Ghana's Extractives Sector (Mining and Oil and Gas) and traveled across over 24 countries in 4 continents to make presentations that have influenced landmark policies.
One of the lead activists on the recently reopened Obuasi Mines is Kojo, who, at a point in time received threats from some quarters in his quest to seek social development for his people endowed with abundant gold deposits, others but impoverished.

The Executive Director of CeSIS, an Obuasi headquartered non-governmental research and advocacy organisation, is very innovative as development practitioner, communication consultant, media trainer, human rights activist, natural resources and environment (NRE) expert, journalist and blogger happily living in Obuasi with his adorable wife and their son.

Kojo's watchword is determination and he has, therefore, inspiringly groomed many professionals including this writer he has, over 13years, coached and given exposure to become a prolific media practitioner acclaimed by   continental and global greats.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E: okeditor5@gmail.com

INSPIRING GIRL EDUCATION -Philomena Agorda's journey

Tue, Feb 19, 2019

INSPIRING GIRL EDUCATION
-Philomena Agorda's journey

Born in Bankoe in the Volta Region of Ghana 40years ago, Mrs Agorda obtained her Basic Education Certificate from R/C Girls Junior High School in Ho, Intermediate Certificate in Fashion from Cape Coast Technical Institute, Advanced Certificate and Higher National Diploma in Fashion Design from Ho Polytechnic and BSc in Fashion and Textile Designs from University of Education- Kumasi.

The minimum qualification to read Fashion at Cape Coast Technical Institute was O' Level Certificate hence she had no choice but to, as the only girl among boys, settle for Auto Engineering for a year before getting the greenlight to pursue her Fashion course.
She was okay with the theoretical aspects of Auto Engineering but she would sneak to the Fashion class to sew for them when she had to go for Auto Engineering practicals that drained her energy.

Her first job, just after her Intermediate Certificate in Fashion, was as an instructor at Father Dogli Memorial Trade School in the Volta Region where she taught for 2years.
Then to Anum Presbyterian Vocational School in the Eastern Region where she has been for the past 14years.

Though an instructor in Fashion, indomitably spirited Mrs Agorda has learnt detergent production and currently has to her credit over 30 different kinds of the product she has invested in as an entrepreneur, despite the challenges in combining it with teaching, family life and further learning.

The detergent business, she underscores, has been rewarding but daunting due to constraints in sponsorship, marketing, transport, production unit, among others, but she is never giving up as she envisages training at least 5,000 Ghanaian youth every year and venturing exporting her products, all things being equal.

She has implored grammar-biased schools to value Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in such oriented departments in their schools to make their graduates readily employable.

She has admonished boys to show interests in the so-called no go areas for boys because girls, today, are defying the odds to rub shoulders with boys in all disciplines.

As a mother and mentor to many girls, Mrs Agorda has admonished girls
"to be courageous, godfearing, determined and focused" .


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E: okeditor5@gmail.com

PRIVATE EDUCATION DELIVERY -The GNACOPS story

Sat, Feb 16, 2019

PRIVATE EDUCATION DELIVERY
-The GNACOPS story

Background

In recent times, human developments in technology, as well as the demands from the job market, have given rise to new methods of learning and skill acquisition.
The educational system is taking a paradigm shift and countries all over the world are making frantic efforts in building the capacities of teachers to the 21st century standards.

In Ghana, the contributions from private schools to nation's quest to achieve universally accepted holistic education cannot be overlooked.
With the greater part of the contributions to the basic level, there is the urgent need for teachers who are well-versed in modern trends in teaching and learning.
The government of Ghana, in line with its policy on quality education for every child, is due to introduce Standard Curricula and ensure that only qualified and certified persons are employed to teach.
It has also put in place programmes to better equip public school teachers to effectively implement the new curricula.


Implications for Private Schools

Considering the forthcoming curricula alien to many teachers in Ghana, vis-à-vis the government's new policy on teacher recruitment and efforts to streamline the activities of public schools, majority of private school teachers (most unqualified/uncertified) risk losing their jobs, leading to the collapse of a lot of private schools in Ghana, especially at the rural areas.
These, if not curtailed, shall thwart the country's resolve to give every child a world-class education.


Way Forward

The Ghanaian National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), with the mandate to internally regulate private schools in the country, is, in consonance with various government policies, introducing interventions for member schools.

To this end, two flagship programmes are being put in place;
One is the GNACOPS Volunteer Scheme which directly benefits members.
Two is the Neogenics Teacher Training.

The council will further engage other organisations in the drive towards continuous professional development of teachers and managements.

GNACOPS will intensify its monitoring of teaching and learning in all member schools.
It is resolute in making member schools forces to reckon with in terms of quality educational delivery and job creation.

The council, led by its Research and Training directorate, is putting in place measures to guarantee private education through local and international partnerships to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education by 2030.

And ensure that all young men and women who have ambitions to teach, particularly in private schools, get the requisite skills and certifications.


-Mantey Jectey-Nyarko (PhD),
Director, Research & Training

2019, YEAR OF READING -Math teacher advocates

Sun, Feb 17, 2019

2019, YEAR OF READING
-Math teacher advocates

!


The Ghanaian Library Authority (GLA) has declared 2019 as Year of READING and with the support of the Ghanaian National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) and others, all is set to imbibe in the Ghanaian child the culture of reading that is sinking.

While unusual of teachers of Mathematics, unlike their language counterparts, to prioritise reading, Augustine Saahene, a professional graduate teacher of Mathematics at the senior high level, is strongly "leading the charge".

Attention to language detail Mr. Saahene, in an exclusive online interview with LEARNING📖MATTERS editor Osei Kuffour, who's also his college mate, made the following submissions:

B a c k g r o u n d

Our mathematical concepts are presented in the English language. So, if the student can't read to comprehend the demands of questions, then it's a problem.
Getting some mastery over the language is a prerequisite to understanding the mathematical concepts and their subsequent applications.
I think I should be able to present mathematical concepts to my students in a plain language.
We should help our students to cultivate the habit of reading from the nursery. So, by the time they get to the upper primary, they would have learnt how to read. Consequently, they will make a significant progress academically;

S t a k e h o l d e r s

All stakeholders including teachers, parents, government, community, NGOs, foreign partners, among others, should help in making reading a habit for all.
Some teachers find it difficult to construct correct sentences. They feel shy to speak the English language at staff meetings, etc. So, if the teacher is not well prepared to impart the knowledge and skill of reading, then that's a worry;

M e d i a

All media practitioners should be perpetual advocates of reading at all levels of our educational system.
They should provide space and airtime for teachers and other stakeholders to help in imparting the skills of reading to students.
Educative programmes like the defunct "Everyday English" on Radio Ghana should be re-aired to make a significant impact in the academic lives of teachers and students;

G E S

The Ghanaian Education Service (GES) should be brought into the debate as to how best we can collectively help in imparting the habit of reading in teachers and students.
-Augustine Saahene, Math Teacher

Meanwhile, LEARNING📖MATTERS, with sponsorship from Joy Standard Schools, is due to roll out "STANDARD EDUCATION", a daily radio broadcast that gives insights into Learning Tips and Standard English language usage.

Editor OK(Osei Kuffour), in his 13th year, as a media advocate in education, is imploring all and sundry to rise to the occasion of promoting education in meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education by 2030.

And soliciting cash and kind support by partners by contacting him via Facebook Osei Kuffour OK and electronic mail okeditor5@gmail.com.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
LEARNING📖MATTERS

PRIVATE EDUCATION DELIVERY- The GNACOPS Story

Background
In recent times, human development in the area of technology as well as the demands of the job market have given rise to new methods of learning and skill acquisition. The school and the general system of education have taken a paradigm shift. Countries all over the world are making frantic efforts to teachers are therefore required to reskill, (where they already have some skills in teaching), or acquire entirely new skills in teaching.  In Ghana, the contribution of the private schools in the quest for the nation to achieve a holistic all-inclusive and universally accepted education cannot be overlooked. With a greater part of the contribution concentrated at the basic level, there is the need for teachers who are well versed in modern trends in teaching and learning. The government of Ghana, in line with its policy to ensure quality education for every Ghanaian child is just about to introduce a Standard Curricula and also ensure that only qualified and certified persons are employed to teach. It has also put programmes in place to train and equip teachers in the public schools to effectively handle the new curricula

Implication for private schools.

Considering the upcoming curricula which is “alien” to almost every teacher in Ghana vis-à-vis the new policy on teacher employment, as well as government's effort to streamline the activities of the public schools, majority of the young men and women who teach in the private schools, (most of them not qualified or certified) will lose their jobs. This will lead to the collapsing of a lot of the private schools which serve a chunk of Ghanaian, children especially in the rural areas, and will ultimately thwart the nation's effort at giving every one of its younger citizens a world class education.

 Interventions.

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools, having the mandate as the internal regulatory body for private schools in Ghana, has in line with the various policies being rolled by the government to upgrade the educational delivery in Ghana put in place a series of interventions not only for teachers but ultimately to make all its member schools part of the success story concerning the growth of private education in Ghana. To this end two major flagship projects have been put in place. The first is the GNACOPS Volunteer Scheme, which members   will be direct beneficiaries of the second project, the Neogenics Teacher Training Programme. Aside these two main projects, the council will further engage other organisations in the drive towards continuous professional development for both teachers and managements. GNACOPS will also intensify its monitoring of teaching and learning in all its member schools.

Way forward.

GNACOPS is resolute in making its member schools a force to reckon with in terms of quality educational delivery and job creation. To this end, the council, spearheaded by the Research and Training Directorate is putting in place measures to guarantee private  education in Ghana to not only become at par with its peers internationally, but also, to effectively partner the government to achieve its developmental goals through quality education for every Ghanaian child. It will also ensure that all the young men and women who have ambitions to teach, particularly in the private schools get the requisite skills and certifications.

Mantey Jectey-Nyarko (PhD) 
Director: Training and Research
GNACOPS

REDEFINING PRIVATE EDUCATION -GNACOPS' MoU, activities launch

Thu, Feb 14, 2019

REDEFINING PRIVATE EDUCATION
-GNACOPS' MoU, activities launch

Private education in Ghana is having unprecedented facelift as the Ghanaian National Council of Private Schools(GNACOPS) on Tuesday entered a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Neogenics Education Group for a 4-year training of private school teachers leading to the award of International Certificate in Teaching and Learning.
The teachers, after the programme, shall sit the Teacher Licensure Examinations.

The 20-year MoU, will see Neogenics Education Group, through the Centre for School Leadership and Education Professionals(CSLEP), train the target teachers at the premises of the private schools.
The training expected to cover all the 16 regions will be piloted in Greater Accra and Ashanti within the first 2years.
Online platform will be made available to those who cannot make time for the face-to-face instructions.

Another refreshing thing to hear is the launch of GNACOPS 2019 Activities.
The colourful event that took place in Goaso within the Ahafo Region on Wednesday drew 750 students from 35 private schools.
Guest of honour for the occasion was Nana Kwasi Bosomprah II(Paramount Chief of Goaso Traditional Area) with Osei Yaw Boahen(Municipal Chief Executive for Asunafo North) as guest speaker.

Delivering the keynote address on the theme "Redefine the Phase of Private Education" , Margaret Boadu(Asunafo North Municipal Education Directoress) emphasised
•Standardisation of private schools
•Better teaching and learning environment
•Quality and licensed teachers and
•Adequate preparation towards the ongoing Education Reforms.

Meanwhile, the National Executive Directorate(NED) of GNACOPS has disclosed the introduction of Private Teacher Education Course for current and prospective school owners for onward certification.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E: editorok5@gmail

HIGH BRIDE PRICE AND CHILDCARE -Concerned Krobo mother disturbed

Tue, Feb 12, 2019

HIGH BRIDE PRICE AND CHILDCARE
-Concerned Krobo mother disturbed


Despite other people reconsidering bride price to lessen the marriage-threatening financial burden on the would-be husband, the picture remains the same among the Krobos in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

If, per the financial demands, the man and the woman, unfortunately, give birth out of wedlock, the man is allowed to be irresponsible as the woman's family impresses on her to take all the responsibilities in the child's upkeep till adulthood.

And in a situation where the man would want to have the woman and the child to stay with, he is allowed by her family to offer a sheep and take her and the child away.

The upholders of this tradition thought it would deter women to stay chaste till they are married but the opposite is the case, impoverishing the physical, psychological, emotional, social, educational and other aspects of the innocent child, triggered by teenage pregnancies.

But a proud Krobo mother and civic educator, Janet Mamle Wahiermeh, while discouraging premarital childbirth among the young women, is strongly advocating the reconsideration of the outrageous pride prices demanded from young would-be husbands so as to encourage more responsible parenting in the interests of the child, the family and the society.

Madam Janet stressed that she has approached some opinion leaders on the Kroboland on the issue but though some queen mothers and their male counterparts see the need for reforms, there is no glimmer of hope.

She is, therefore, calling on all concerned Krobos and others to join the advocacy since the practice is prevalent in one form or the other in other parts of the country and outside.

"Let us modernise the tradition because it is rather the good tradition that should go on, "

Madam Janet told editor Osei Kuffour in an exclusive interview.
And added that not even your Christian status can make it easy for you as far as the deeply rooted tradition is concerned.

When asked about the "dipo"(puberty rites) and its pros and cons in contemporary Ghana, she said it is another big subject for another discussion.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E: editorok5@gmail

VAL'S DAY NOT "SEXUAL DAY" -Woman to girls.

VAL'S DAY NOT "SEXUAL DAY"
-Woman to girls


Home Economics teacher and woman empowerment advocate, Clara Nyarko-Jectey, has sent her motherly message to girls ahead of the corrupted Valentine's Day, February 14.

"Valentine's Day is sharing of love by giving unconditionally to people. It's not a sexual day for the unmarried. Girls should take their time. When the time is right Mr. Right will come. The higher you go the better men you meet, " Mrs. Nyarko-Jectey spoke to the media.

She has also called on men to encourage girls and women to be as empowered as they (the men) are since the backing from her husband has helped her rise in life.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E:editorok5@gmail

FOCUS ON SKILLS TRANSFER --UK-trained Ghanaian teacher

Mon, February 11, 2019




Joseph Asare, a professional teacher trained in Ghana and United Kingdom, has called on the Ghanaian government to prioritise skills transfer in its quest to make graduates employable.

Mr. Asare, who is the assistant headmaster of Joy Standard College in Kumasi, pointed out that from his exposures to both educational environments, Ghana's major limitation is the overemphasis on theory at the expense of critical problem-solving skills at all levels in our educational system.

He has, therefore, implored the Education Ministry and Service to make sure skills transfer take centre stage in the on-going curricula and teacher reforms to meet the 21st century educational standards and attain the Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 4: Quality Education by 2030.

On teacher motivation, Mr. Asare intimated that his major source of  motivation is the positive feedback he gets from his students and not the salary, though very indispensable.

He also recollected his student days in Ofinso Training College(now Ofinso College of Education) with high sense of inspiration.

Mr. Asare spoke to his junior training college colleague, editor Osei Kuffour, as part of a series of educational advocacy interviews to whip up stakeholder interests in Ghana's educational transformation.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
Fb: Osei Kuffour OK
E: editorok5@gmail