A senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Kenneth Asamoah Gyimah has challenged Ghanaians to embrace the new educational reforms introduced by the Ghana Education Service (GES) because is the only panacea to address examination malpractices in the country. Dr. Gyimah said the new reforms are designed in such a way that the focus is not going to be only on academics but develop the human capacity through skills which will position every learner at point of achieving something at the end of the course.
“Unlike the past, where the main focus of education depended on passing an exam. We call that type of education as ‘High Stake Exams,’ where the focus only depends on passing the examination or fail to progress in life,” he stated. He said in this new type of education, the attention is not about chew and pour but rather on individuals ability to perform.
Dr. Gyimah gave this advised during Armstrong and Amissah Memorial lecture of Wesley College of Education (Wesco) centenary anniversary held in Accra. “Transformation in education is very necessary and one cannot do without because it brings inclusiveness and development,” Dr. Gyimah stated.
Speaking on the theme; Shaping Ghana’s Educational Transformation, the Role of Wesley College, he said with the new reforms, the focus will not be on external exams only where after failing exams one is stuck in life adding that this type is holistic and develop the child to exhibits the various skills.He called on GES to reconsider the policy of not allowing the use of mobile phones and other gadgets in Senior High Schools because these are essential tools for educational reforms.He said phones are communication and research tools hence denying students from using them in the new reforms is like depriving them access to compete with their peers globally.
The lecturer said educational transformation is peculiar in ensuring that no one is left behind, transform society by shaping thoughts and beliefs of the people and above all empower the individual.
Commending WESCO for being one of the pay setter in Ghana’s education, described the country’s old educational system as one not meeting the needs of students with old teaching skills which does not reflects 21 century skills. He called on teachers to embrace the philosophy of the reforms, learn it and teach it because it is the surest way of bringing out the best in Ghanaian children.
Acknowledging the role of WESCO, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana and a past student, Most Rev. Paul K. Boafo, said the church is ready to support any drive by the central government of moving from exam leakage era into capacity building and skills development of learners. Most Rev. Dr. Boafo commended the management of WESCO which has become the first choice for many Ghanaians in relation to college education and wished them God’s abandoned Grace to soar high.In his welcoming address, an old student and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. George Domfe said the college which was established in 1922 at Aburi in the Eastern Region moved to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to serve as a force for the northern, Bono and Ashanti regions.
Dr. Domfe said the school for the past 100 years have trained professionals who are now occupying various leadership positions across the country. The centenary year-long activities which started on April 28 with a visit to Kemp, Aburi, the origin of WESCO, proceeded with a float, Armstrong/Amissah memorial lecture, inter hall quiz in July, Drama night in August, inter college sports competition in September and music concert in October.
Others are clean up exercise, memorial service and fund raising, alumni reunion, inter year group games, centenary exhibition, inter hall debate and Jama competition, family day, grand durbar and anniversary dinner all to be held in November this year.