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Will the change from diploma to degree solve the problem?

 

Teacher education in Ghana has seen a lot of changes in recent times. One major change has been the change of diploma awarding colleges of education to degree awarding colleges.

This means all teachers coming out of the colleges of education will have a degree as the minimum qualification. This was great news to all teacher trainees in the various colleges as this will mean a marginal increase in their salaries when they are deployed to teach.

Many have louded this move by government but my question is, will the degrees automatically result in better outcomes? I am yet see any difference in the skills set of a diploma holder and a degree holder as far as teaching is concerned in this country. A lot of teachers have acquired degrees on the job but pupils in government schools are still struggling to read and write, our children are not doing well in basic arithmetic and they can't think critically. I have enquired from few teachers on why they acquired university degrees and the usual answer is "I want to be promoted to a higher salary rank". 

Most teachers further their education not for new knowledge but for salary increment and promotion. This is not good for the teaching profession, is it?

The fact that Private schools are producing better outcomes with teachers who are basically high school graduates tells us that awarding teachers with degrees might not have any effect on teaching and learning. It is not surprising that most Ghanaians would choose a private basic school over a government school.

The real problem I believe is the lack of teaching resources and poor monitoring and supervision. You do not need a PhD to know this. Teachers in government schools lack basic resources that will enhance teaching and learning. Sometimes it is very sad to see children sitting on bare floors to learn. Teachers teach ICT without computers, teachers teach science without teaching aids. Sometimes even the classrooms where pupils study is nothing to write home about.

Another serious problem is teacher absenteeism. It looks like teachers in government schools can absent themselves from work anytime they wish and nobody cares. For schools in rural communities it is worse. This is because sometimes roads leading to such communities are very bad and dangerous and monitoring officers would not even venture going there on working visits.

Awarding degrees to teachers is a good thing but to what effect if I may ask. The only difference I see between a degree teacher and a diploma teacher is the inscription on their certificates. In terms of teaching or classroom work I think they're at par.

If the purpose of awarding degrees to colleges of education trainees is to improve teacher quality then I beg to differ. Teachers from colleges of education are already of high quality, what they need is resources and strict supervision. If the purpose of the degree is just to raise the status of teachers then I can understand.


By Edinam Ahiably-kumordjie

predahku@gmail.com

Comments

  1. EmmanuelMarch 15, 2021 at 12:35 AM

    You are right sir,Our leaders are not helping us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EmmanuelMarch 15, 2021 at 12:36 AM

    You are right sir,Our leaders are not helping us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. EmmanuelMarch 15, 2021 at 12:37 AM

    You are right sir,Our leaders are not helping us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. EmmanuelMarch 15, 2021 at 12:37 AM

    You are right sir,Our leaders are not helping us.

    ReplyDelete

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