GNAT wants ICT training examinable in colleges of education
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has appealed to the Government to make Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training examinable in colleges of education.
Consequently, trainee teachers should be equipped as soon as practicable with professional knowledge in ICT for them to instruct students on computer usage, legitimate methods of internet search and how to identify useful information on the net.
It also recommended that continuous training in ICT skills be organised for classroom teachers to make them flexible, confident and dynamic on the teaching field.
Madam Helena Awurusa, the GNAT National Co-ordinator for Gender, made the appeal during the Fourth District GNAT-Ladies Society (GNAT-LAS) round table discussions at Winneba on Wednesday.
The round table, on the theme: “Modernization of Education in Ghana; The Role of GNAT-LAS,” provided the platform for lady teachers to deliberate on pertinent issues affecting them.
Madam Awurusa said the widespread use of ICT had largely influenced every sphere of human life including education and, therefore, the teacher could not be denied such opportunity.
She said an increased capacity in ICT provided learning opportunities beyond the traditional teacher model book and urged the female teachers to persevere and learn new technologies with passion to effectively and efficiently teach their students.
“Mediocrity will no longer be accepted in the teaching field, it is not acceptable to teach from the same textbook over and over again when we can access the internet to learn more,” she said.
She advocated for the use of mobile phones by students with teachers’ guide, saying the policy banning students from using phones was “hypocritical” because many students hid and used phones at school despite the law restraining them.
Mrs Philippa Larson, the National President of GNAT, described the theme for the round table as appropriate because it would motivate women to make efforts to modify their profession to remain relevant on the field.
She urged them to continue to upgrade themselves and sharpen their technological and methodological skills to enable them to handle their students well.
Mr Nicholas Taylor, the Deputy Regional Secretary of GNAT, encouraged the ladies to strive to take leadership positions in the association and also serve as role models for the young girls they teach.
They should also make sacrifices to help shape the future of their students particularly on their chosen career path for the overall growth of the country.
Source: GNA