Using mixtures of local language and English in teaching science at the lower primary level

This study examined the use of local language/ mixture of local language and English in teaching natural science at the lower primary school. Using ethnographic tool I document the different natural science events in Ama and Patience classroom. The results revealed that, the use of local language and English in combination at the lower primary level facilitated students learning, understanding and contributions in science lessons. Keywords: natural science; language policy; ethnography

TEACHER TRAINEES PERCEPTION TOWARDS ON-CAMPUS TEACHING PRACTICE AT THE HOLY CHILD COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, TAKORADI, GHANA

Teaching practice is an important component in any teacher education programme. It is regarded as the most crucial way in helping teacher trainees to become effective classroom teachers. This study sought to investigates the perception of teacher-trainees towards on-campus teaching practice. It involved both Early Childhood and General Basic Education Diploma teacher trainees of Holy Child College of Education perception. Their concerns, challenges encountered and experiences gained during the teaching practice in the year 2017/2018 academic year were taken into consideration. The research employed qualitative research procedure. In-depth interviews were used to gather data for the study. The results revealed that, teacher-trainees have benefited from the on-campus teaching practice in the development of the following teaching skills: communication with students, classroom management and lesson notes preparation. The study recommends that effort should be made to train teacher trainees in the preparation of lesson notes with particular attention given to the English language and the preparation of teaching and learning materials.  Article visualizations

Enhancing Teacher Preparation Programme to Minimize Challenges of Mentors in the In-In-Out Programme of Holy Child College of Education

The purpose of this study was to find out how the teacher preparation programme was responding to the challenges of mentors and mentees in playing their roles so as to employ the appropriate strategies in addressing them to enhance the programme. Enhancing teacher preparation programme to minimize challenges faced by mentors in the out programme of Holy Child College of Education through selected intervention strategies was the aim of the study. The specific objectives were to assess the role of mentors in the out programme and put in place relevant interventional measures to improve its effectiveness.  The research questions include; to what extent were mentors providing support and guidance needed?  And to what extent would the selected interventional measures implemented minimize the challenges of mentors. The sample size of the study was 30.  This was made up of 18 females and 12 male mentors.  They were randomly and purposively selected respectively.  The instrument used for collecting the data for the study was questionnaire. The  intervention used were; series of lectures by out programme coordinator on the qualities of mentors, organisation of a three day training course for mentors on their attitudes towards mentees and inclusion of weekends on the study cycle meeting by link tutors. During the pre-intervention stage, the data collected revealed the following: absenteeism of mentors, lack of regular discussion and supervision by mentors, lead mentors and lack of appropriate teaching and learning materials. Mentors did provide support and guidance needed after the intervention in the areas of lesson planning, facilitating mentees’ learning and offered suggestions. Keywords: Mentor, Mentee, Challenge, interventio

Perceptions of Students on Environmental Challenge Issues

The purpose of this study was to investigate student’s perception of environmental challenge issues and its implication for science education. A standardized ROSE (Relevance of Science Education) survey questionnaire related to environment on 4-Point Likert-type scale was administered to 500 form three students of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Authority (S.T.M.A) Senior High Schools. The data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses and an independent sample 2-tailed t-test was used to explore the statistical significance at p ? 0.05.  The findings revealed that although young people were overwhelmingly optimistic about the future, environmental issues are clearly of concern to them.             The results also revealed that students in S.T.M.A. believed that they had a role to play in protecting the environment. The major findings of the study were that most boys and girls in this study strongly agreed that learning about the environmental challenge issues would prepare them for the future and that people should care more about the protection of the environment. They also agreed that something can be done to curtail the drastic alteration of the environment. Both boys and girls agreed that science and technology can solve environmental problems. The responses to this statement appear to show that the respondents have a high level of confidence in the ability of science and technology to solve environmental problems. They disagreed with the statement that threats to the environment were not each and everyone’s business and also disagreed that environmental problems should be left to the expert as can be seen from the low agreement level to both statements. There was a significant difference between boys and girls views on I know the earth is in trouble but don’t really care with a p-value of 0.031.  Keywords: Environment, challenge, management, education, eart

A STUDY OF MANPOWER PLANNING DIVISIONS: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED EDUCATIONAL DIRECTORATE IN THE WESTERN REGIONS OF GHANA

The overall objective of this research was to evaluate (determine the effectiveness) of manpower planning activities of selected educational directorates in the Western Region of Ghana. The study, basically, was a survey which entirely utilized a questionnaire to obtain field data. The sample size of 180 was drawn from a total population of 400 which comprised teaching and non-teaching staff in the districts and officers of the district directorates. Fundamentally, the study found out that the educational workers in the district were very much aware of the relevance of manpower planning as an important management function. However, there was an irregularity with the induction training and appraisal exercises. Other results showed problems relating to recruitment and poor conditions of service. The study among other things recommended that sensitization workshops be organized by GES for human resource managers in the directorates.  Article visualizations

EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNAL SUPERVISION OF THE IN-IN-OUT PROGRAMME IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN THE WESTERN REGIONS OF GHANA

The study was aimed at finding out the effectiveness of internal supervision of the In-In-Out programme in the Colleges of Education in the Western Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to find out problems facing supervision of the In-In-Out programme. The research design for the study is the descriptive survey. This method permitted the researchers to obtain data to determine specific characteristics of the group. In all, 480 respondents were included in the study, which comprised 300 Mentees, 180 Mentors. The instrument used in collecting the data was a questionnaire. Data analysis was mainly descriptive. The study revealed that all the supervisors had a problem with non-payment of allowance for supervision. In addition, the supervisors and mentees hardly used teaching and learning materials during the teaching-learning process. Some of the supervisors did not perform their expected roles. It is recommended that the Teacher Education Division of the Ghana Education Service should provide the supervisors with attractive allowances to enable them to supervise the mentees teaching effectively. Again, the Principals in the Colleges of Education should increase the period for the training of the mentors so that they would acquire all the necessary skills for effective supervision.  Article visualizations

The Relationship between the Quality of Teachers and Pupils Academic Performance in the STMA Junior High Schools of the Western Region of Ghana

The study investigated into the relationship between the quality teachers and students academic performance in Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) Junior High Schools. Descriptive survey design was used and the target population was Junior High School teachers and pupils in the metropolis. Five educational circuits in the metropolis were randomly selected for the conduct of the study. Stratified and systematic sampling techniques were used to sample participants and the sample size was 500. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for the data collection. Pearson Moment Correlation, ANOVA, means, percentages and standard deviations were used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that even though the quality of teachers was high in terms of their academic and professional qualifications, it did not reflect much in the performance of the students

Early Childhood Education in Ghana: Perceptions of Stakeholders in the Western Region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions of the stakeholders in early childhood education and their perceptions affect the performance of their roles in the implementation of early childhood education programmes. Parents, community members, early childhood education teachers, members of religious organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations formed population of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample the early childhood schools and stratified sampling technique participants in each district. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and structured interview guide. Data collected were summarised using percentages, means, standard deviations and Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient The Stakeholder in the Western Region of Ghana have low perception of early childhood education and this adversely affects the performance of their roles to ensure effective implementation of early childhood programmes and policies in the region. There is a relationship between their perceptions and the level of performance of their roles. It is recommended that Religious organizations, District and Municipal Assemblies as well as non-governmental organizations should be encouraged to participate actively in the implementation of early childhood programmes and policies in the regio