The University of Ghana, in collaboration with Transforming-Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL), organised a two-day workshop for University of Ghana Subject Leads and the Professional Development Coordinators from the six affiliated Colleges of Education. The workshop, which came off from Tuesday, September 6th to Wednesday, September 7th 2022, was focused on the application of Professional Development (PD) Manuals for the Year three (3) Semester two (2) Courses.
In delivering the open remarks, the Coordinator for the B. ED Programs, Dr. Emmanuel Adjei-Boateng, outlined the purpose of the professional development (PD) sessions and its intention to support tutors in gaining an understanding of the manual. He also encouraged tutors to adopt the concept to improve the teaching of students at the Colleges of Education affiliated with the University of Ghana. He was optimistic that the workshop would equip participants with the needed expertise to handle the Professional Development manual for the Year 3 Semester 2 courses. He further stated that the workshop was to demonstrate the use of the Professional Development manual in moderating Professional Development sessions for Year 3 students in the teaching and learning of the second-semester courses. The workshop also gave a better understanding and implementation of the National Teacher Education Assessment Policy (NTEAP). He emphasised the usage of the Professional Development manuals in accordance with the NTS, NTECF, and NTEAP.
Prof. Winston Abroampa, the Dean of the Faculty of Educational Studies of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), presented on National Teacher Education Assessment Policy (NTEAP). He indicated that the policy would enhance tutors’ knowledge of the three parts of the assessment policy and the application of continuous assessment to support tutors' understanding of each Professional Development session.
Dr. Kwaku Darko Amponsah, reading a speech on behalf of the Dean of the School of Education and Leadership (SEL), Prof. Gordon S.K. Adika, apprised the participants that the weekly Professional Development programs were to share ideas on teaching plans to improve on the Tutors teaching and learning activities. He indicated that this would assist and encourage upcoming teachers to develop endurance skills in the teaching fraternity. The participants were divided into subject groups and were led by the team leads with speciality in the following subjects: Science, Social Studies, Literacy, Pedagogy, Mathematics, French, and ICT, as well as TVET.
In a closing remark, on behalf of the Dean of SEL, Dr. John Sedofia thanked participants for making time to attend the workshop. He encouraged tutors to integrate gender into their curriculum and to serve as ambassadors for Professional Development concepts. He urged participants to fully embrace the manual since it would be useful to them in the future. He also stated that the manual would prepare them for teaching at the Colleges and their personal benefits.
Dr. Sedofia finally thanked the affiliated Colleges of Education for associating themselves with the UG brand and wished the participants a safe journey to their Colleges. The Coordinator of the B. ED programs also thanked the participants, T TEL officials, faculty from the College of Education (School of Education and Leadership), and supporting staff for making the program successful.