Kumasi (Ashanti), 27th April ?99 ?

A four -day workshop jointly organised by the German Development Co-operation and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for 29 mentally disabled teachers has ended in Kumasi with a call on them to design teaching programmes to stimulate the mental consciousness of their pupils.

The workshop on the theme "Teaching/learning materials for disabled pupils --selection, preparation and use", was to improve the participants knowledge in preparation of mentally disabled teaching and learning materials.

Topics discussed included the perception of the environment of the mentally disabled child, attitudes and beliefs about mental disability in Ghana, cognitive approach of teaching and strategies of planning and carrying out lessons.

Mr David Kodenyo, assistant director in-charge of mentally handicapped unit of Special Education Division of GES, urged the participants to design teaching programmes that will stimulate the mental consciousness of the mentally disabled child.

He regretted that most mentally disabled teachers were unable to teach effectively due to lack of extensive exposure.

Mr Emmanuel Agyei, Headmaster of Garden City Special School, called on the participants to continue to broaden their knowledge in their chosen field.