Educationist advocates data base for school enrolment

Professor Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Education on Thursday advocated the development of a data base to link the registration of birth with expected year of enrolment in schools.

He said this is imperative because of the high number of over-aged children found in primary one and two in most schools, which he noted had a lot of challenges including, high dropout rates, irregular school attendance and poor academic performance.

Prof Ampiah said this in an address to Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipal 4th Quadrennial and 51st delegate’s conference of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at Elmina.

The Conference which was attended by more than 70 delegates was on the theme: “Education in Crisis: The Path to 2015-The role of Parents, Pupils and Teachers.

It aimed among other things to discuss and adopt the conference report, elect municipal executives, as well as elect delegates for the regional and national conferences.

According to Prof Ampiah about 80 per cent of children in primary one in many schools in the country ranges from six and 11 years and in some cases 15-18 years.

This, he said is not good enough since such children hardly contribute in class, are dull and do not talk much.

He therefore suggested that enrolment drives should focus on correct age –in-grade enrolment.

He called for a ring-fenced capitation grant that goes directly into improving classroom level inputs, but not to be used as poverty alleviation fund for some head teachers and teachers as it is being done in some schools.

Prof Ampiah said the education authorities should give special attention to improve the transition from primary one to primary two, explaining that repetition of pupils in class one should be avoided since Act 778 does not allow that.

Mr Gabriel Gbademor Municipal Director of Education called on the executives of GNAT to put in place proactive measures that would help address the needs of teachers, particularly accommodation and other social amenities.

He asked them to be resolute and committed to their duties and endeavour to return to the classroom to help prepare final year students for their examination.

Isaac Kweku Sam KEEA Municipal Chief Executive said achieving quality education is a shared responsibility and urged parents to take keen interest in the educational pursuit of their children.

David Ofori Acheampong, Central Regional GNAT Secretary, noted that the strike by teachers was not an act out to undermine anyone, but that they are demanding what is due them.

Ebenezer Darko Ansah, Municipal GNAT Chairman, suggested the need for teachers to get regular in-service training.