Promotion of teachers should be based on performance---VC

Winneba (C/R), July 6, GNA-The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw has observed that the practice of promoting teachers based on only long service does not motivate practicing teachers to up-date their skills. He, in this regard, said teachers should be promoted for excellent performance using agreed and well-established criteria.

Professor Asabere-Ameyaw said this at the matriculation of 866 teachers to undertake eight weeks courses in diploma and degree programmes through sandwich programmes at the University.

Some of courses they would be doing were, Education Administration and Management, Human Rights Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Special Education, Teaching of English as a Second Language, English Education, French Education, Physical Education, Home Economics Education, Certificate in Pre-School Education and Music and Arts. Professor Asabere-Ameyaw said that the appointment of Heads of Department and Circuit Supervisors on the long service must be looked at, "appointment to such key position should be based on merit and qualification". He said the university has introduced a portfolio assessment system that allows heads and teachers to document their strengths in teaching skills, management skills, knowledge of the cognitive growth of the child, assessment skills.

The VC therefore said all teachers should be encouraged to build teaching portfolio as part of the requirement for effective teaching, adding that this could assist in the evaluation of teachers for promotion.

He told the students that the programmes they have enrolled are designed to improve the activities of practicing teachers and heads of educational institutions to enable them to create a transformational climate in their institutions.

Professor Asabere-Ameyaw said; "knowledge renews itself on a minute-to-minute basis, teachers who fail to update themselves consciously and continuously and in a consistent manner can in no way be relevant in the classroom or any education enterprise". He, in this regard, told the students that their enrolment in the sandwich programmes of the University is therefore commendable and urged them take their studies seriously to achieve success.