Saltpond (C/R), Aug. 24, GNA - The Curriculum Research and Development Division (CRDD) of the Ghana Education Service has introduced three new topics into the curriculum to enhance delivery of quality education in basic schools. The new topics, peace education, psyc ho social skills and child rights, would also make children to control their in-born tendencies to prevent conflicts, allay fears, build self confidence and make them to relate well with others.

It would also make children to know their rights and responsibilities.

A one-week training of trainers course was organised by CRDD at Saltpond for 150 teachers from 53 districts of Greater Accra, Central, Eastern and Volta regions to equip them with skills on how to handle the manuals developed by the CRDD with the help of UNICEF. The participants are expected to go back to their various districts to train teachers on how to use the manuals to integrate the new topics into subjects such as language, environmental studies, social studies, religious and moral studies and life skills.

Ms Judith Sakara, Head of Implementation Unit, CRDD said the psycho social skills would make children to know themselves, their shortcomings and their good sides and also make them to understand that their mates came from different environments with different backgrounds. Ms Araba Neizer, in charge of Peace Education Programme said the topic would make children to control their emotions and inculcate in them issues that promoted peace.

Mr Isaac Asiegbor, in charge of Child Rights said a survey conducted by the CRDD in schools indicated that even though Ghana Children's Act was passed in 1998, many teachers were not aware of its existence.

He said the survey showed that few teachers who made the attempt were those in schools sponsored by non-governmental organisations. The course participants Ghana News Agency interviewed expressed satisfaction about the introduction of the topics and said they would go a long way to prevent conflicts.