ITECPD-UEW Equips Lecturers and Students for the Effective Implementation of STS

The programme featured presentations on the four-year Bachelor of Education curriculum and STS by Prof. Kweku Esia-Donkoh; the National Teachers’ Standards for Ghana by Prof. Richardson Addai-Mununkum; STS Year Two Supporting Tasks by Rev. Justice Gideon Adjerako; Portfolio Development by Mr. Ahmed Kobina Amihere and Implementing STS at UEW: Challenges and Success Story by Prof. Sakina Acquah.

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Michael Subbey, the Director of ITECPD, described STS as a major component of the University’s four-year teacher education programme and urged students to approach it with the seriousness required for their professional preparation.  He explained that teacher preparation at UEW combines theoretical learning with practical school-based experiences, culminating in the fourth year when students are attached to schools and work with mentors to apply the knowledge and skills acquired on campus.

Prof. Subbey noted that the progression through the STS programme was deliberately structured to develop students’ professional competence, beginning with “beginning teaching” in the first year, followed by “developing teaching” in the second year, “embedding teaching” in the third year and “extending teaching” through the internship component in the fourth year.

He urged students to commit themselves fully to the programme, stressing that its practical and theoretical components must complement each other to produce professionally competent teachers.

Prof. Esia-Donkoh, the Head of the Department of Internship and Supported Teaching in School at ITECPD, explained that the initiative sought to familiarise participants with the National Teachers’ Standards for Ghana which guide the competences and professional preparedness expected of teachers.

Prof. Esia-Donkoh described the Standards as the “Teachers Bible,” emphasising their importance in guiding the development and assessment of teachers’ professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions.

He further highlighted the role of mentors and UEW supervisors in supporting students during their school-based experiences. He noted that the University expects student teachers to become reflective, engaging, motivating and inspiring practitioners. “We want you to translate whatever we learn here in a consistent, purposeful and reflective manner, and in our professional practices,” he said.

According to him, the workshop also provided an avenue for lecturers and coordinators to develop a common understanding of STS and promote consistency in its implementation, supervision, mentoring, monitoring and assessment across faculties, departments and placement schools.

Prof. Esia-Donkoh stressed that the quality of STS implementation would ultimately affect the quality of teachers prepared for Ghana’s education system, urging participants to apply the lessons from the workshop consistently and purposefully in their professional practice.

The programme further addressed practical aspects of STS including reflective practice, professional portfolio development, supporting tasks and strategies for overcoming implementation challenges.

The workshop is part of ITECPD’s efforts to strengthen the connection between university-based teacher education and school-based professional practice while enhancing the preparation of confident, reflective, competent and professionally responsible teachers.