2nd Social Studies National Conference held at UEW
The Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), in collaboration with the National Social Studies Association (NaSSA), has held the second edition of the National Social Studies Conference.
The event took place at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus of UEW on Wednesday, 3rd November, 2021 under the theme “Development of 21st Century Skills and Competencies: The Role of Social Studies”.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, noted that the inclusion of social studies as a common core discipline from basic seven to ten highlights the essence of the subject in producing character minded learners who could play active roles in dealing with the increasing challenges facing Ghana and the global society.
The Ag. Vice-Chancellor of UEW and Chairman for the occasion, Prof. Andy Ofori Birikorang, congratulated the leadership of NaSSA for the hard work put forth to ensure that social studies was not marginalised in the nation’s educational system.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Education (FSSE), UEW, Prof. Lucy Effeh Attom, in her welcome address, indicated that 21st-century skills were to equip students with the core competencies central for effective preparation and participation in terms of problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and innovation, leadership and interpersonal skills, and digital literacy which would enable students to be lifetime learners.
Former Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, in his presentation, on the topic “The 21st-Century Skills in the Second Cycle School Curriculum in Ghana”, also affirmed that the 21st-century skills had come to redefine the Ghanaian educational system and to enable the students to be useful citizens acquiring all the fundamental skills which would eventually help the world to be a better place.
“The world is growing at an incredible technological rate and as the traditional job market is also changing to fit in this technological world, is right for the second cycle school to be abreast with the 21st-century skills to fit in the job market,” Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said.
The Dean of the School of Arts and Social Studies, the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Prof. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, gave a presentation on the topic “Curbing Indiscipline in our Society: The Role of Social Studies”. He noted that discipline is individual-centred and for a society to develop, it would be dependent on the attitudes and behaviour of the individuals in the society. Prof. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi also charged state institutions to ensure that citizens respect the laws of the land at all times.
Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Kankam Boadu, presenting on “Producing Competent, Concerned and Reflective Citizens via Social Studies Curriculum”, disclosed that the social studies subject has the potential to help solve societal issues from all angles.
Chairperson for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms. Josephine Nkrumah, also presentation, on the topic “Fostering National Integration under the New Normal: The Role of Social Studies”, decried attempts to scrap the study of Social Studies in schools stating that the subject is the heartbeat of humanity.
NaSSA also used the conference to elect and swear-in new executives for the association.
