UEW Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility for Play-Based Learning

The facility provides a space for students and teachers to learn about play-based activities for teaching kindergarten children. The play-based learning approach is expected to facilitate teaching and learning, making it easier for teachers to deliver lessons and for children to understand and apply concepts.

Prof. Victor Antwi, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, commissioned the facility on behalf of Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the facility, encouraging the community to ensure it serves diverse individuals and contributes positively to society. He noted that the Ghana Education Service (GES) plans to implement play-based learning in most schools starting in 2025 and that the facility will train students and lecturers alike.

Prof. Antwi announced the intention to appoint a coordinator and to facilitate regular visits by the Dean of SELLL to the site to address any emerging issues promptly. He underscored the challenges that public universities, such as UEW, encounter due to decreasing funding and limited financial flexibility. Furthermore, he acknowledged the critical role of partnerships in supporting the university's initiatives and alleviating some of its financial pressures.

Prof. Hinneh Kusi, Dean of SELLL, emphasised that the facility is resourced to facilitate play-based activities for children, thereby enhancing effective teaching and learning. He expressed his appreciation to Right to Play for their support, noting the organisation’s commitment to basic education and early childhood development aligning with the objectives of the UEW. Prof. Kusi underscored the significance of cultivating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, asserting that the technology and resources available at the facility will substantially contribute to this goal.

Prof. Kusi underscored the importance of appointing a Coordinator to work in close collaboration with the Directorate of Works and Physical Development for the maintenance of the facility. He indicated that regular reports would be submitted to the office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor to ensure accountability. Furthermore, Prof. Kusi articulated the advantages of a play-based learning approach, emphasising its capacity to foster innovation and encourage self-directed learning among children.

Mr. Kwabena Gao, an education specialist at Right to Play, stated that the facility will function as a hub for training teachers and student-teachers in play-based learning methodologies. He underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between his organisation and UEW, specifically on pre-service teacher training. Furthermore, he disclosed that the Global Partnership for Education is providing additional funding to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to support the professional development of kindergarten teachers in over 10,000 schools across the country.

"Right to Play has offered comprehensive training and mentoring support to lecturers at the University of Education, Winneba. These lecturers, in turn, have facilitated mentoring for colleges to integrate play-based learning into their professional development sessions. Furthermore, the organisation has engaged with Colleges of Education, partner schools, and community-based organisations to actively promote the concept of play-based learning," he said.

Mr. Gao highlighted the importance of engaging parents and the wider community in play-based learning, noting that parents need to understand the approach and its benefits. He underscored the need for sustainability, noting that Right to Play's support is just the beginning of a long journey to strengthen the capacity of teachers to deliver quality teaching and learning.

Prof. Sakina Acquah, Head of the Department of Basic Education at UEW, described the partnership as a welcome gesture that would benefit children and contribute to Ghana's progress in play-based education. "We will make every effort to ensure that our students successfully engage in play-based activities while also maintaining the facility in an exemplary manner," she stated.

The partnership between UEW and Right to Play is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector in Ghana, particularly in early childhood education. With the support of Right to Play, UEW is well-positioned to become a leader in play-based learning and to contribute to the development of a more effective and engaging education system in Ghana. The facility's inauguration marks a significant step forward for UEW's commitment to providing high-quality education and promoting effective teaching and learning practices.