UEW-IERIS Observes 2022 World Teachers’ Day with Teacher Unions
The Institute for Educational Research and Innovation Studies (IERIS), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has in collaboration with three teacher unions of six districts/municipalities in the Central Region of Ghana, organised a two-day seminar to mark the 2022 World Teachers’ Day.
The two-day seminar, held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus, UEW, from Wednesday, 5th to Thursday, 6th October, 2022, was under the theme “Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery after the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mawutor Avoke, underscored the need to appreciate the enormity of teachers’ duty and contribution to society.
"Teachers ensure the growth of students and pupils into professionals who propel society. We can never foster a greater understanding of ourselves to spark the needed social advancements without teachers. In fact, no economy or society that sets itself on the path of growth does so without teachers. Teachers are also wonderful mentors and our first philosophers in life," he asserted.
He lauded the nurturing qualities of educators and stressed the necessity of giving attention to their plight to motivate them in their profession.
“Pupils come into our classrooms and we don’t discriminate because we have an obligation to educate, look after and instill moral discipline into everyone. We must understand that teachers are the bedrock of society without whom, no society can develop. Thus, any discussion that doesn’t talk about the plight of teachers, how they can develop professionally and personally will not be doing justice to the gathering here,” the Pro-Vice-Chancellor said.
The Director of IERIS and Chairman for the programme, Prof. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, delivering a speech on the topic “Innovative Strategies at the Heart of Education Recovery,” highlighted numerous factors crucial to ensuring that teachers use cutting-edge techniques to support ground-breaking and engaging lessons.
"So, beyond the classroom, beyond the teacher and his pupils, we need a certain ecosystem of innovation that allows the teacher to practice his skill,” he averred.
Prof. Avea Nsoh advocated for the creation of innovative policies that would facilitate trouble-free instruction and learning.
The Head, National Centre for Research into Basic Education (NCRIBE), UEW, Dr. Edison D. Pajibo, in welcoming participants, revealed his outfit’s determination to research the key issues at the basic schools.
"Consequently, we collaborated with the three teacher unions and six educational directorates (Effutu, Awutu, Senya, Gomoa East, Gomoa West, and Gomoa Central) to research the leadership practices of heads of basic schools and how these practices influence learning outcomes in their schools. In addition, how the University of Education, Winneba, can collaborate with basic schools to influence learning outcomes in those schools," he affirmed.
The Effutu Municipal Director, Ghana Education Service, Mrs. Mabel Judith Micah, said that the day is celebrated annually in recognition of teachers’ achievements and dedication to training the nation's students.
"Today, I salute you for being selfless, devoted, hardworking, and the wisest person in the classroom. Real teachers don’t teach from books; they teach from their hearts. As we observe the 2022 World Teachers’ Day, we are reminded of our labour of love, your steadfastness, and determination in ensuring that our learners become exceptional adults who are successful in their careers and lives," she remarked.
In an address read on behalf of the three teacher unions, the Zonal Chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Mr. Godfred Abapro, pointed out that everyone has a right to access education. He stressed that it is a fundamental right enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights and one of the key principles underpinning sustainable development goals four(SDG 4) adopted by the international community.
“Teachers must, therefore. receive quality initial teacher education, effective induction into the profession, and have the opportunity for high-quality professional development to hone their skills throughout their careers. The government must demonstrate to the public that teaching is a valued profession by providing decent salaries and improved working conditions for educators at all levels of education,” he recommended.
Mr. Abapro reaffirmed the unions’ commitment to increasing the global supply of qualified teachers. “We urge all governments and the international community to join us in this endeavour to ensure that all children and young people, no matter their circumstances, can secure their right to quality education and a better future.”
The Executive Director of Macademia Educational Consult, Ms. Joyce Oduro, in her presentation on "Continuous Professional Development Framework and Portfolio Building," brought insight into how the policy on the topic works.
The two-day event also saw presentations on the topics "Institutional Programmes for Effective Remedy of Learning Losses and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Students; the Impact of COVID-19 on Education Delivery: How I Coped and Responded to Education Recovery; and Post COVID-19 Strategies to Improve Enrolment Rates" by Mrs. Mabel Judith Micah, Mr. Ebenezer K. Otoo and Mr. Julius Kpodo, respectively.
The research fellows at NCRIBE, Dr. Martin Wiredu Agyekum, and Mr. Andrews Acquah disseminated the research findings by IERIS on the topic “Improving Basic School Learning Outcomes Through Leadership Practices: Prospects of Effective Collaboration Between the University of Education, Winneba and Basic Schools in Municipalities/Districts in the Central Region of Ghana.
Also present was the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, UEW, Prof. Samuel Kwesi Asiedu-Addo.
