Mr Thomas Baafi, Deputy General Secretary in charge of educational and professional development of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), on Friday said regular re-training of teachers was crucial to achieving quality education.

He appealed to government to provide “systematic needs” targeted at in-service training of teachers for the country to achieve the “desired quality of education”.

Mr Baafi was speaking at the closing ceremony of a week’s GNAT/Canadian Teachers Federation’s (CTF) Project Overseas in-service training workshop for selected teachers in the country in Ho.

He said no “pre-service teacher preparation” programme could fully equip teachers with all competencies required to meet challenges on the job and described regular in-service training as key to professional development.

“The fact is that teaching is not as simple as people perceive it. It is a complex activity that requires rigorous training and re-training,” Mr Baafi said.

He also urged government to initiate a special orientation programme for all newly trained teachers to prepare them for “shocks” to experience in the teaching field.

Mr Baafi said the resultant of the “neglect” of the needs of newly trained teachers was the “destruction” of the enthusiasm they graduated with and expressed the hope that “proper orientation will help them stabilize to enjoy teaching and put up their best.”

Mr Samuel Doe Alobia, GNAT President, said quality education begins with quality teachers and underscored the importance of in-service training for Ghanaian teachers.

Madam Shannon Boyle, leader of the Canadian Team, said GNAT/CTF relationship continued to enhance professional development of teachers of both countries and pledged the support of the CTF to the project.

Mr Emmanuel Keteku, Volta Regional Director of Education, charged the participants to use the skills they acquired to make teaching, learning and administration effective in the schools.

The participants were exposed to new concepts and approaches to subject delivery and how to manage schools efficiently and effectively.