Administrative Professionals of the Five Colleges of Education affiliated to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) scheduled to run Bachelor of Education Programme have attended a two-day workshop organized by the Faculty of Educational Studies (FES), KNUST. The workshop which brought together Vice-Principals, College Secretaries, Quality Assurance personnel among other selected staff from the Colleges of Education was on the theme ‘Managing Colleges of Education in the 21st Century: The role of Administrative Professionals.
The workshop is in line with the government’s policy to develop the capacities of Colleges of Education to run Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programmes through the Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) programme. As part of the policy, Akrokerri, Evangelical Presbyterian, Bimbilla, St. Joseph, Tamale and Wesley Colleges of Education have been affiliated to KNUST.
In his opening remarks, The Dean of FES, Dr. Winston K. Abroampah said the administrative staff are key players who cannot be left out in rolling out the B.Ed. programme birthed by the Government of Ghana with support from the UK aid.
He mentioned that teachers are paramount to the growth of any nation. According to him, no country can develop beyond the quality of its teachers, because the more quality teachers a country has, the more developed it is. He added that the new B.Ed. programme is going to solve the problems regarding the educational system and churn out better qualified and quality teachers empowered for a career dedicated to improving young people.
Professor Imoro Braimah, the Provost of the College of Humanities of Social Sciences (CoHSS), on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso said the workshop was to prepare the participants to play their roles effectively for the success of the programme. Prof Braimah said that, for the programme to thrive, the participants ought to work in close association with the teaching professionals, KNUST and other Colleges of Education.
The FES Registrar, Dr. Paul Kwadwo Addo on ‘Strategic Leadership and Chain Management in the College explained leadership as ‘an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes’. With this definition, he advised participants who are leaders to accept diverse contributions from colleagues and collaborate with them for the growth of the colleges. Finally, he stressed the need for the participants to put service before self-interest, inspire trust by being trustworthy, and nourish others to help them become whole.
Mr. James Kwasi Oberko, Senior Assistant Registrar of the University Relations Office (URO) on effective Public Relations and Branding skills for Colleges asked participants to use the appropriate media platforms to relate with the right targets and stakeholders for the success of the B.Ed programme. According to him, many Ghanaians are not aware of the new B.Ed. programme, because the institutions are not making use of the social media and other relevant media platforms. He, thus, advised them to establish and manage their websites, activate and drive their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media accounts to achieve brand visibility for their colleges and the programme. In addition, for effective public relations, he advised them to work on their communication skills; public speaking capacities and demonstrate good writing and research skills.
Moving on, Dr. V. A. Ankamah-Lomotey, the Deputy Registrar of the College of Science educated participants on writing effective memos and position papers. He took participants through the types, purpose, fundamentals and the features of memoranda.
The University Librarian, Dr Samuel Nikoi, and some staff of KNUST took participants through Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age, organising Effective College Ceremonies, Total Quality Management and the Art of Registrarship at the College.
Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) in Ghana is a six-year government programme, supported by UK aid, to ensure Ghana's teaching graduates are equipped to deliver high quality, inspirational teaching and learning in schools. T-Tel is working with the Ministry of Education, its regulatory agencies, all 46 public Colleges of Education (CoEs) and other educational institutions to strengthen pre-service teacher education in Ghana and to support the implementation of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
T-TEL is part of the International Development (DFID) Girls Participatory Approaches to Students Success (G-PASS) programme and managed by Cambridge Education.