The Curriculum Framework is aimed at preparing competent teachers, and against which all Teacher Education Curricula, including the 4-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed. Int. World Health Organization. The policy defines inclusion in its broadest sense as ensuring access and learning for all children: especially those disadvantaged from linguistic, ethnic, gender, geographic or religious minority, from an economically impoverished background as well as children with special needs including those with disabilities. Data analysis was done by first transcribing the audiotaped interview into word format, then both inductive and deductive approaches were used for coding, pattern development, matching and building themes and subthemes. 2010 Population and Housing Census: Summary Report of Final Results . United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural organization [UNESCO]. Daily Monday-Friday. One of the key roles of the HLSC is to ensure the systematic alignment of approaches for education-related targets within the wider United Nations SDG structure. Ofori, E. A. Common Misconceptions About Teachers - Business Insider doi: 10.54674/ess.v32i2.288. J. Soc. In spite of the progress that Ghana has made in improving access to school, several children cannot read or write. Perhaps it would be a different matter if the conceptions of teaching were like those of NASA engineers: smart, genius! J. In year one, student teachers are required to do classroom observations to enhance their learning. It can deliver greater immersive learning for students while also creating some new and exciting teaching opportunities. Awareness of oneself is vital to bracketing biases and prejudices against vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities. The sample comprised 37 Junior High School (JHS) pupils and one science teacher in Abelemkpe Junior High School in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. But here's what teachers do make: a difference in the world. Inclusive education in Ghana: How prepared are the teachers? Junior High School Math/Science Teacher - peacecorps.gov Every child has a right to access quality education and acquire skills UNICEF/UN362021/ACQUAH Naami, A. For example, in math, when you are teaching math, you will let them know that these and that are some of the misconceptions. The policy (Ministry of Education, 2015: p. 6) defines a child with special educational needs [SEN] as: a child with disability, namely, visual, hearing, locomotor, and intellectual impairments. Throughout the curriculum and other auxiliary documents, there are phrases and statements such as How much time was spent helping this student? Did the teacher spend time helping them Did the student(s) with learning needs successfully complete the activities/tasks assigned in the lesson? These questions amply testify that the focus of curriculum and other auxiliary documents are on learners with learning difficulties to the neglect of other categories of disabilities. Afr. We cannot overemphasize the importance of education in creating sustainable societies. (2018b). As noted by Calles (2020) the process of truly integrating the SDGs in tertiary institutions is sine qua non. Obviously, we did not get adequate information about how the student teacher is prepared on the equity and inclusivity outcome. Certification helps to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local employers and government tech initiatives. Yin, R. K. (1994). Education is necessary for persons with disabilities to break out of the cycle of poverty as recognized by both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The World Health Organizations report on disabilities indicates that students with disabilities continue to have lower academic achievement than their peers without disabilities (World Health Organization, 2011). These questions, as far as I can tell, partly state some of the misconceptions about the teaching of CSE. The B.Ed. AN managed the project, including research planning, methodology, the design of the research instruments, fieldwork, data analysis, writing of results and assembled, wrote, and edited the first draft of the manuscript. The proponents of the Social Model of Disability acknowledge that impairment could pose a limit to the functioning of persons with disabilities. Ethn. For example, in Ghana, some women believe that swelling of the face, hands or feet is an indication that the woman is going to have a baby boy [ 13 ]. Stay up-to-date with the latest edtech tools, trends, and best practices for classroom, school and district success. The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author. In response to the challenges confronting the education of students with disabilities in Ghana, stakeholders have made concerted efforts in the education sector to embrace the ideals of inclusive education. 171, 434445. The National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework (NTECF) sets out the four pillars and cross-cutting issues for the initial training of all teachers at the pre-tertiary level (Ministry of Education National, 2017). 6. Dev. The author concluded that concept-changing texts were efficient in comprehension of photosynthesis and Inclusive education places emphasis on all aspects of education, including the pedagogy, school culture and environments that promote inclusion. Instruction has always been the decision of what to teach (curriculum) and how to teach (methods, materials, and activities). The outcome of the conference called for students with disabilities to be educated within an inclusive education system. United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], (2021). 10, 7086. Fontdevila, C., and Grek, S. (2020). curriculum tasks student teachers to Identify school and student characteristics that act as barriers to learning. However, this statement is problematic as it is a wrong premise to understand barriers to learning for learners with disabilities. So, when they go out, they will observe the teacher to see if they are exhibiting these qualities. I can't attend a single event without one or two of these comments popping up. It is important that persons with disabilities are explicitly mentioned in targets and indicators to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed. Ghana: Ghana Assembly Press. (PDF) Misconceptions, Misinformation and Politics of - ResearchGate There is nothing like hearing a former student tell you about the positive change you've made in their life. Educ. "Teachers Have a Cushy Schedule", "Teachers have an easy schedule" is a frequently heard misconception, often followed by, "you're home by 3 p.m., and you've got weekends off." To deny or not to deny disability. Oftentimes we incautiously do things that exclude persons with disabilities in group settings. (2019). We conclude that the student teacher has not been given enough opportunity to reflect on their values, beliefs, biases, and attitudes toward learners with disabilities to develop appreciation of learners with disabilities and to be sensitive toward them. The principle of universal design in the policy offers learners multiple means of representation, expression, engagement, motivation and tapping into learners interest. The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET - IISTE Available at: https://ghana.un.org/en/about/about-the-un (Accessed August 10, 2022). The critical question is what to teach? Feel free to quote Diane Ravitch, one of the most respected voices in education, who notes that unions protect teachers' rights, support professionalism, and check administrative power. Traditional beliefs and knowledge base about epilepsy among university students in Ghana. Or maybe like those of firefighters: brave, self-sacrificing! All Rights Reserved. Knowledge 3, 97114. She holds a B.A. Dev. *Correspondence: Augustina Naami, [email protected], Transforming Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan African Countries Towards the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 by 2030: New Opportunities, Challenges, Problems and Prospects, View all But the section seems to relate more to learners with learning difficulties. Geneva: World Health Organization. Beyond Knowledge and Awareness: Addressing Misconceptions in Ghana's The social model stresses the removal of barriers to foster the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream society (Shakespeare and Watson, 2010; Naami, 2014). The first 9years constitute basic education and are free and compulsory.