Teachers urged to practise inclusiveness in classrooms

The acting Director of Special Education at the Ghana Education Service, Helena Mensah, has called on teachers to promote values of inclusiveness in their classrooms.

She said the traditional model of education, which often separated students based on their abilities or backgrounds, was no longer sufficient in addressing modern educational needs.

Ms Mensah explained that the role of educators had evolved significantly in recent times and that teachers were no longer only dispensers of knowledge, but also act as facilitators, guides and advocates of inclusiveness in education.

The acting director, who was speaking at the 14th Congregation of Komenda College of Education in the Central Region, added that “every child, regardless of their abilities, be it physical, intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic or any other condition, deserves the right to equal education”.

She was speaking on the theme: “Inclusive education: The new paradigm for the 21st Century pre-SHS graduate teachers.” 

Scope

Ms Mensah further explained that inclusiveness extended not only to children with disabilities but also to those from marginalised communities and the poor.

Although she acknowledged the challenges that came with embracing inclusiveness, Ms Mensah said the benefits far outweighed the difficulties. 

She also urged educators to move beyond traditional teaching methods, explaining that inclusivity required a more dynamic and flexible approach that catered to the diverse needs of all students.

Graduation

In all, 429 students graduated, with 55 receiving First Class honours, 278 Second Class Upper Division, 94 Second Class Lower Division, and two had Third Class Division.

The Principal of the college, Very Rev. Dr Kwesi Nkum Wilson, said the graduates were the first cohort to complete the college’s newly introduced compulsory sign language course.

He said the initiative was a key step towards creating a more inclusive learning environment and ensuring that students with special needs were not left behind in the classroom.

The principal also encouraged the staff of the institution to contribute to research publications, urging those who had not yet published their work to make it a priority.

He also warned against plagiarism, stressing the importance of maintaining academic integrity.

The principal also advised the graduates to carry with them lessons learned during their time at the college and to embrace both challenges and opportunities that await them in their professional lives.

Significance of Free SHS

In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, said the government's Free SHS initiative was a major step in promoting inclusivity.

He explained that the programme had removed financial barriers, allowing children from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue secondary education.

The minister encouraged the graduates to remain resilient and determined as they embarked on the next phase of their journey.

Appreciation

The Best Graduating Student, Moses Coleman, thanked the college’s staff, management and families for their support and sacrifices, adding that without their dedication, they would not have achieved their vision.