to participate in teacher-training programme

Accra, Nov. 14, GNA - District Education Officers (Circuit Supervisors) have been trained to take up additional responsibilities as part of measures being put in place to improve the policy of directly involving them in supervising the "out" students of Training Colleges.

Principals of Teacher Training Colleges are also being supported with funds to facilitate movement of link tutors to supervise the "out" trainees. Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports said this on Friday in Parliament when Mr Joe Gidisu, NDC- North Tongu asked him what was being done to address the challenges arising out of the in-out policy of the Teacher Training programme.

He said Distance Learning Materials, which were not provided for the first batch of the "IN-IN-OUT" trainees had now been provided while dedicated mentors were now being given certificates of merit to encourage them to take part in the programme.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said schools of attachment were now being supplied with materials to help in the preparation and use of Teaching Learning materials by trainees.

He added that District Education offices were also expected to assist selected schools of attachment based on availability of experienced and competent teachers/mentors who could support the teacher trainees. Mr Baah-Wiredu said the mentors/teachers were given initial training where their roles and responsibilities were clearly spelt out and a handbook on their duties have been published and distributed to the schools concerned.

Concerning the accommodation of the trainees, the Minister said Principals with the assistance of District Education Offices ensured that there was adequate accommodation in areas where trainees were posted. Mr Baah-Wiredu, however, said the challenges facing the policy were the choice of school of attachment, training of competent mentors, accommodation of mentors and trainees and provision of distance learning materials.

He said other problems were how to get support of link tutors from Teacher Training Colleges and District Education Offices and provision of incentives to schools of attachment and mentors.

Mr Gidisu in a supplementary question wanted to know whether the allowances were sufficient for the trainees and what efforts the Ministry was making to improve on the situation.

The Minister said the trainees needed appropriate allowance and that the Ministry would soon ensure that the situation was improved.

When Mrs Agnes Sonful, NPP-Amenfi West asked the Minister whether he was aware that some of the mentors sometimes did not supervise the trainees, he accepted that there had been short comings regarding the programme but the Ministry was endeavouring to rectify them.