"Teachers Have a Paid Summer Vacation", Each year, teachers must take an unpaid furlough during July and August. Prior to the 2018/2019 academic year, the Colleges of Education awarded diploma qualifications, while the universities awarded Bachelor of Education degrees and Post Graduate Diploma in Education PGDE/certificates in education. Harlow: Longman. Social Policy and Disabled People: From Exclusion to Inclusion. The Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Educational Reform report (2007) presented the structure of education in Ghana to consist of two to threeyears of nursery school, six compulsory years of primary school, three compulsory years of junior high school and another threeyears of senior high school. 9, 8695. Therefore, it is very important to assess how student teachers at the Colleges of Education in Ghana are integrating inclusive education consistent with SDG 4. ), but not the accessibility of these facilities. Colleges of Education are the settings where teachers are trained to develop required skills for effective inclusive education. London: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy London. The FCUBE concentrated on enhancing the standard of instruction and learning, expanding educational access, and promoting the involvement of all school-age children, including the formation of local educational organizations to facilitate effective management of education (Agbenyega et al., 2005). Post-2015 Education MDGs. Disclaimer|Privacy Policy|Contact Us|About. Moria, A., and Morgado, B. It is noteworthy that disability is listed on the observation checklist and reflective journals of student teachers as part of their preparedness on the equity and inclusivity outcome. But here's what teachers do make: a difference in the world. MCE Clears Negative Stereotypes Of TVET Education | News Ghana Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, Keywords: Ghana, inclusive education, persons with disabilities, student teacher, teacher preparedness, Citation: Naami A and Mort KS-T (2023) Inclusive education in Ghana: How prepared are the teachers? In two different studies conducted in sub-Saharan countries, 66.3% to 99.7% were reported to have misconceptions about the etiology of TB, 27.6%-90% likewise misunderstood the symptoms of TB, 0.1% . Machado, C., and Davim, J. P. (2022). In year one, student teachers are required to do classroom observations to enhance their learning. in Behavioral Science, a Masters in Education, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Education Leadership. However, disability is not mentioned in the four learning outcomes of the equity and inclusivity of the cross-cutting pillar and their targets. To achieve inclusive education, a curriculum reform is fundamental to achieve the necessary improvements in the quality of new teachers. on the eve of Ghana's independence and charged with the "dissemination of truthful unbiased news". It further states that all children have the right to access basic education and that the education system should be dynamic to adapt to the needs of children. The components of the learning outcomes we analyzed in the light of the SDGs Goal 4 targets 4.5, 4.6, and 4.8 and the social model of disability (See Supplementary Tables S1S3). The Curriculum Framework is aimed at preparing competent teachers, and against which all Teacher Education Curricula, including the 4-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed. The ICF and social model of disability, on the other hand, helped us identify barriers that could inhibit access of persons with disabilities to inclusive education in Ghana at the systemic (teaching training colleges) and unit (classrooms) levels and to identify what could be done to address issues at these levels. The social model stresses the removal of barriers to foster the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream society (Shakespeare and Watson, 2010; Naami, 2014). Attitudes and Disabled People. (2019) explains that while the CoE provides a yearlong school-based teaching practice in addition to a semester-long campus-based peer teaching, their colleagues offering education degrees in the University of Cape Coast (UCC) engage in a semester-long school-based teaching experience. Hopefully, the ones listed here will help you respond in the right way and shed some light on the truths of the teaching profession. International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children & Youth Version: ICF-CY. The study employed the descriptive research design. In all one hundred and seventy-one (171) students participated in the study. Examples of the disabling environment are societal structures, values, culture, environmental constructs (Geffen, 2013), inadequate access to healthcare, transportation, physical and institutional barriers (Barnes and Mercer, 2005; Naami, 2014). School of Education, Western Sydney University, Australia, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), Norway. "Teacher Tenure Means Teachers Can't Be Fired", In 2016, I was outraged when a politician made an untrue statement about teacher tenure, so I turned to Facebook to express my anger. Persons with disabilities constitute about 15% of the world population, with about 80% of them living in countries of the global south, including Ghana (World Health Organization, 2011). J. Curr. In many districts, teachers elect to have their salary divided over a 52-week period so they still have money coming in over the summer. Socioeconomic factors hindering access to healthcare by persons with disabilities in the Ahanta west municipality, Ghana. Curriculum in 2018 was written to reform education and the school curriculum. Misconceptions previously reported include the interpretation of warning signs of pre-eclampsia as a normal occurrence during pregnancy. Unstructured questionnaires and Teacher observations were utilised in the process of generating the data. Front. Ironically, the final question suggests the above reflections would have been helpful to increase disability sensitivity and inclusion. 45, 175195. Examples of how anthropomorphism is misleading. Corruption - African leaders are generally perceived to be corrupt. So, its good that you are bringing some of these things out. Disability inclusiveness requires care and proper planning, but that is not emphasized in the curriculum of Colleges of Education in Ghana. But the curriculum does not adequately address other categories of learners with disabilities who may require other forms of support as stated in the inclusive education policy. Edulearn19 Proc. Challenges and opportunities for inclusive education in Ghana. Stay up-to-date with the latest edtech tools, trends, and best practices for classroom, school and district success. G. Scambler and S. Scambler (London: Palgrave Macmillan), 5776. The data sources were a face-to-face in-depth interview with the Quality Assurance Officer of the case and one site observation by the researchers. The author concluded that concept-changing texts were efficient in comprehension of photosynthesis and World report on disability online. If you're in the same boat, here's a handy cheat sheet to help set your lunatic cousin Larry straight when he claims to know more than you do about your own vocation. Misconception:Force is always in the direction of an object's motion.21 Transfer of Energy Concept: Objects come to the temperature of their surroundings. The National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework (NTECF) sets out the four pillars and cross-cutting issues for the initial training of all teachers at the pre-tertiary level (Ministry of Education National, 2017). For years, governments and other national and international stakeholders have focused their attention on making sure that all children can attend school, and they have backed up that commitment with reforms (Barrett et al., 2019). Education Ghana - What are some of the misconceptions and - Facebook As part of the global communitys efforts to address social problems collectively, post the Millennium Development Goals era, the Sustainable Development Goals were birthed in 2015 (United Nations [UN], 2015). Interaction between the Components of ICF (World Health Organization, 2007). The focus on myths and misconceptions is borne out of the fact that they are potential threat to preventive efforts [18-20]. - Equip teachers with good communication skills. Western Governors University WGU. "The one misconception I would like to clarify is around the phrase, 'Those who can cannot do, teach.' As noted by Calles (2020) the process of truly integrating the SDGs in tertiary institutions is sine qua non. The SDGs Goal 4.5 explicitly mentions persons with disabilities. The policy is novel to the teaching profession in Ghana and those already in the service are given the privilege to just register on the teachers portal for the License to be issued to them. Attitudinal barriers are cited as major barriers to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life in Ghana (Kassah et al., 2012; Adjei et al., 2013; Dugbartey and Barimah, 2013; Naami, 2014). The student teacher is required to reflect on seven questions listed under this theme but none of them captures disability. Avoiding anthropomorphism helps young people to open the closed box of AI applications. Stressful school atmosphere, teachers' lack of knowledge and bad attitude towards work can equally hinder the reading process at this level. My students have gone on to become doctors, nurses, legislators, activists, business owners, musicians, social workers, and yesteachers. In Ghana, a considerable milestone has been the integration of the SDGs into the medium-term development of Ghana. The critical question is what to teach. (PDF) Secondary school students' errors and misconceptions in learning In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications offer hope to candidates and educators. PDF Students' Misconceptions about Visual Arts and Technical in the Study Confronting them is difficult for the student and the teacher. Wheelchair accessibility to public buildings in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. United Nations Communications Groups [UNCG] (2017). Umm.Not.So.Much. If you're a teacheror if you've even thought about being a teacheryou've probably heard a few of these common misconceptions about teaching. One of the key roles of the HLSC is to ensure the systematic alignment of approaches for education-related targets within the wider United Nations SDG structure. (2003). It's never wise to centralize power in one person, whether that's a superintendent or a mayor. The Social Model of Disability: Europe and the Majority World. Disability and Health. Figure 1 gives a pictorial illustration of how a particular health condition/disorder could affect the body functioning, activity and participation. This has the potential of influencing the learning experience of such students in the classroom. The curriculum of the Colleges of Education in Ghana emphasis on the need for student teachers to reflect on their own beliefs and biases to enhance acceptance and conscientious efforts toward accommodating learners with disabilities to increase their inclusion. Educ. This has led to misconceptions and poor public image of TVET because many people still hold the view that TVET is good for students who cannot use their brains or students who do not qualify for admission into the universities. World 6:81. 5. Revisiting free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE) in Ghana. Ghana: Ministry of Education. Initially, myths were largely on causes and vulnerability. The student teacher is also expected by the curriculum to recognize what makes him/her an inclusive teacher. The observation checklist requires student teachers to identify traits of professionalism of their mentor teachers compared with theirs. United States Department of States. How anthropomorphism hinders AI education - Raspberry Pi Foundation Concept Cartoon as a Teaching Technique for Conceptual Change: A It is worth mentioning that the student observation checklist listed a section on students with special needs. S. Grek, C. Maroy, and A. Verger (Milton Park: Routledge), 4358. To deny or not to deny disability. Edu. Newman, E. K. (2013). Mundial, Grupo Banco, and UNICEF. Crit. "Kids Today Are Entitled, Dangerous Brats", I can assure you that most of today's students are hardworking, fun-loving, eager-to-learn youngsters. Agbenyega, J. S., Deppeler, J., and Harvey, D. (2005). However, it is equally important to find out whether what the teacher does promotes participation or alienates others. Geneva: World Health Organization. Republic of Ghana (2019). Received: 29 September 2022; Accepted: 16 January 2023; Published: 23 February 2023. It must be noted that, although the student observation checklist contains some items on disability, the students were not required, in their reflective journals, to reflect on leaners with disabilities, their learning needs, and how they could be addressed to increase participation. The lower part of the diagram further illustrates the impact of contextual factors such as environmental (e.g., social, physical, transportation, and information barriers) and personal factors (e.g., education, gender, social background, and profession). Royal Geographical Society - Resources for schools A case study design was employed for this study. Teach. The aim of this module is to introduce students to the huge variation in geography that exists within the complex continent of Africa Key Stage Three, Module, Global perspectives, geopolitics and development, Urbanisation, migration and society Sections Overview Africa: scale and diversity Dealing with common misconceptions of Africa Spec. Higher Education for Sustainable Development Goals. All Rights Reserved. Dev. In spite of the progress that Ghana has made in improving access to school, several children cannot read or write. The aim of the study is to develop an understanding of the kinds and sources errors and misconceptions that characterise students' learning of school algebra. In a similar vein, the Government of Ghana has identified several factors that prevent persons with disabilities from attending school, including the general publics negative perception of people with disabilities, physical obstacles, the lack of adequate facilities for assessments, and a rigid curriculum, inadequate planning by regular teachers for students with special needs (Government of Ghana, 2003). Misconceptions about GMOs in Ghana due to weak education, study reveals High. Ghana 2012 human rights report. Leeds: Disability Press. This research sought to investigate teachers' experiences with overcrowded classrooms: the case of new Gbawe experimental 1 basic school in Ghana's Greater Accra region. Herp-Ghana. Common Misconceptions About Teachers - Business Insider (2012). Incl. The requirements for a qualified teacher include all of the skills needed for the 21st-century workplace. Mary Montag, teacher, St. Teresas Academy. He noted that: For example, go to the new schools, yes, we are building nice laboratories, but they are not accessible for learners and student teachers with disabilities. From our observation, the entire school environment was not accessible. 12, 2832. High. 6. If not, what can society do to nullify or erase some misconceptions about the teaching profession in Ghana and also equip ourselves in readiness for the task given to us as a group, that is Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Teaching Educators, Training Institutions, including the Universities and all other teaching affiliate bodies (1994). Applying the SDGs Goal 4 as an analytical tool inclusion and equality issues in the training of student teachers. University surroundings and infrastructures that are accessible and inclusive for all: listening to students with disabilities. Inclusion in the policy sets out to create an education system that is responsive to learner diversity and to ensure that all learners have the best possible opportunities to learn. There is nothing like seeing your students succeed. J. The National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework, (NTECF): The Essential Elements of Initial Teacher Education. Traditional beliefs and knowledge base about epilepsy among university students in Ghana. Perhaps it would be a different matter if the conceptions of teaching were like those of NASA engineers: smart, genius! Plenty of studies conclude that higher teacher pay leads to better teacher quality, which leads to improved student performance. CBR Inclus. London: University World News, The Global Window on Higher Education. Buabeng et al. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2006 with a BA in English, and enjoys spending way too much time either reading or cooking. In my view, it is good the government has assured Ghanaians that the CSE will not be. doi: 10.1080/03050060902920534. READ MORE Welcome to the Ministry of Education The Government of Ghana initiated some key education reforms to transform teaching and learning and improve educational outcomes under the Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018-2030) which was approved by cabinet in November 2018. That the student teacher reflection is aimed at increasing their disability sensitivity and inclusion is fallacious. The curriculum of Colleges of Education in Ghana rightly states the need to identify barriers to learning and working with stakeholders to address these barriers, which is also listed in the student reflective journals. AN managed the project, including research planning, methodology, the design of the research instruments, fieldwork, data analysis, writing of results and assembled, wrote, and edited the first draft of the manuscript. Education is necessary for persons with disabilities to break out of the cycle of poverty as recognized by both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Dev. Both researchers independently coded the data to enhance the credibility of the study. In response to the challenges confronting the education of students with disabilities in Ghana, stakeholders have made concerted efforts in the education sector to embrace the ideals of inclusive education. The sample was made up of one hundred and fifty-five students (155) from Aggrey Memorial . This paper is framed on a case study methodology within the context of utilizing the social model of disability to examine the curricula of Colleges of Education in Ghana by investigating whether the student teacher is prepared enough to promote inclusive education. The importance of the SDGs. Barnes, C. (1991). doi: 10.1177/107554708100300106. PDF Understanding Misconceptions: Teaching and Learning in Middle - ed 4. The World Health Organizations report on disabilities indicates that students with disabilities continue to have lower academic achievement than their peers without disabilities (World Health Organization, 2011). Teachers' Experiences With Overcrowded Classrooms in A Basic School in Presently, there are 48 Colleges of Education (CoE) in Ghana, up from 38 in 2014 ( Buabeng et al., 2019) and in the 2018/2019 academic year, all Colleges of . Daily Monday-Friday. The barriers also do not allow of first-hand experiences of inclusive education. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Want to share a great resource? The school and its environment must be safe and accessible for all learners. Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Ghana: The truths beyond the doi: 10.36251/josi.149, Nakua, E., Yarfi, C., and Ashigbi, E. (2017). Early Learning | UNICEF Ghana I explained that tenure is a right to due process, so a teacher can't be fired without the administration presenting evidence that the teacher was incompetent or unprofessional. Findings of the study are expected to make useful contributions to information, education and communication strategies for dispelling myths and misconceptions about TB in Ghana. Previously, the University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba, had the traditional mandate to prepare teachers to teach at various educational levels including the basic school level (Buabeng et al., 2019). Systematic random sampling was used. For instance, some Ghanaian teachers utilize proverbs and stories to contextualize their messages and some of these are negative toward persons with disabilities and teachers unconsciously make their statements without knowing that they are hurting some learners in the classroom. The Teaching Profession In Ghana: What Can Be Done To Improve It? Teaching should therefore involve the full participation of pupils. 27, 689701. But unless they live with, or are close friends with, a teacher, it might be challenging to change their minds. To these little ones, reading must be fun. 42, 1323. For example, in week five the learning activity for student teachers requires Observation of how socio-economic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds influence the way learners (a boy and a girl) learn. The statement above does not recognize disability as one of the backgrounds that influences learning. As Neubauer and Calame (2017) argues, the SDGs ought to be recognized as a unique opportunity to strengthen and intensify the dynamics of sustainability in higher education institutions all over the world. Koomson et al (2000) also cites many activities which are involved in teaching. Common Misconceptions About Teaching - Transition to Teach A. Wulff (Leiden: Brill), 96115. (PDF) Misconceptions, Misinformation and Politics of - ResearchGate Available at: http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report.pdf (Accessed June 17, 2017). In addition, the curriculum requires student teachers to find out if there are other learning resources apart from computer(s). Beyond Knowledge and Awareness: Addressing Misconceptions in Ghana's United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], (2021). The policy (Ministry of Education, 2015: p. 6) defines a child with special educational needs [SEN] as: a child with disability, namely, visual, hearing, locomotor, and intellectual impairments. Throughout the curriculum and other auxiliary documents, there are phrases and statements such as How much time was spent helping this student? Did the teacher spend time helping them Did the student(s) with learning needs successfully complete the activities/tasks assigned in the lesson? These questions amply testify that the focus of curriculum and other auxiliary documents are on learners with learning difficulties to the neglect of other categories of disabilities. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.