For years, governments and other national and international stakeholders have focused their attention on making sure that all children can attend school, and they have backed up that commitment with funding. He noted that: For example, go to the new schools, yes, we are building nice laboratories, but they are not accessible for learners and student teachers with disabilities. From our observation, the entire school environment was not accessible. United Nations [UN]. One of the profound characteristics of the SDGS is the fact that all the goals are interconnected. Leal Filho, W., Shiel, C., Pao, A., Mifsud, M., vila, L. V., Brandli, L. L., et al. In a similar vein, the Government of Ghana has identified several factors that prevent persons with disabilities from attending school, including the general publics negative perception of people with disabilities, physical obstacles, the lack of adequate facilities for assessments, and a rigid curriculum, inadequate planning by regular teachers for students with special needs (Government of Ghana, 2003). Disability should clearly be mentioned in the curriculum and the learning outcomes of the equity and inclusivity cross-cutting pillar and their targets as well as auxiliary materials of Colleges of Educations in Ghana. Policies, targets, and strategies Education Strategic Plan 20032015 May. Of course, the known architectural barriers are the impediments as postulated by the social model of disabilities. To be effective, a science teacher should not underestimate the importance and the persistence of these barriers to true understanding. The school environment, the classroom, lessons, class management and assessment are all limited regarding inclusivity of learners with disabilities. In 2012, Burnett and Felsman (2012) signaled the debate on post Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and pointed out the need to incorporate the SDGs in education, particularly in educational institutions. Every child has a right to access quality education and acquire skills UNICEF/UN362021/ACQUAH 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. As noted by Calles (2020) the process of truly integrating the SDGs in tertiary institutions is sine qua non. The SDGs 4 set out to achieve inclusion and equality in education whilst the social model of disability provides us with the opportunity to identify barriers to inclusion and how to address them. Attitudinal barriers are cited as major barriers to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life in Ghana (Kassah et al., 2012; Adjei et al., 2013; Dugbartey and Barimah, 2013; Naami, 2014). 2.2 Misconceptions about TVET education The misconceptions surrounding TVET Education are more negative than positive (Fusheini et al., 2021, Fusheini, . London: Macmillan. 6, 18. Yes, this is what we want the students to know. We met to discuss and merged emerging codes and themes and subthemes. Geffen, R. (2013). Copyright 2023 Naami and Mort. United States Department of States. The HLSC therefore engages with the wider United Nations SDG structure at global and regional levels (Chaturvedi, 2021). For example, in some schools at the kindergarten level televisions are used to aid teaching. Disabil. Chaturvedi, S. (2021). These misconceptions resulted in perceptions of stigma and discrimination towards people who may get Ebola or work with Ebola patients. The forms and the student handbooks were published by the government of Ghana under the Transformative Teacher Education and Learning (T-TELL), School Partnership Program with support from the British government. Inclusive education policy. Available at: http://www.voiceghana.org/downloads/MoE_IE_Policy_Final_Draft1.pdf (Accessed November 25, 2022). Teaching should therefore involve the full participation of pupils. Many attend mandatory professional development, and some work to get their master's degree. Amandas Ong. Knowledge about genetically modified (GM) food and biotechnology is low among the Ghanaian public due to low levels of . The ICF helps our understanding of the functioning of people with different disorders and their level of participation in activities as well as how contextual factors could facilitate or impact negatively on functioning. Wheelchair accessibility to public buildings in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. Next-Generation Data Strategies and Solutions, The Technology Tools, Skills, and Support Every Student Needs to Succeed, Strategies for Creating a Successful Collaborative Learning Environment, Virtual or In-Person, Do more with less with managed services for K12, The Earth Prize 2023 Winners Announcement, Latest Enhancements to Discovery Education Services Drive Deeper Student Engagement, KidWind and Toyota Join Forces to Bring Renewable Energy Education to West Virginia, ISTE and Capstone Collaborate on Childrens Books Championing Digital Citizenship, Ohio Department of Education Names Curriculum Associates i-Ready Assessment an Approved Dyslexia Screener for Grades K3, 6 benefits of immersive learning with the metaverse, Building a Successful Certification Program at Your Institution. doi: 10.5430/jct.v9n1p86. Over five millennia, human hunting, fishing and habitat destruction . However, we think it's more accurate . Int. A Togo slippery frog rests in grass. eSchool News recently asked readers: If you could clear up one misconception about teachers and/or teaching, what would it be? Our goal was not only to help others understand these misconceptions, but also to learn how teachers feel they are perceived by others. Stay up-to-date with the latest edtech tools, trends, and best practices for classroom, school and district success. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. According to the Colleges of Education Act of 2012, Act 847, the process of preparing teachers in Ghana to teach at the basic school level takes place at the College of Education (CoE). Given that persons with disabilities have been marginalized in all spheres of life, including their families and caregivers (Naami, 2019), conscientious efforts must be made to ensure that persons with disabilities/organizations of persons with disabilities or individuals/organizations that have the capacity to represent them are at the decision-making table to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed (Agyire-Tettey et al., 2019). Lack of oral competence of both teachers and the children in the target language equally hinder the child's reading progress. Nancy Barile is a National Board Certified Teacher, who has been teaching English Language Arts at a low-income, urban high school near Boston, MA for 22 years. But the curriculum does not adequately address other categories of learners with disabilities who may require other forms of support as stated in the inclusive education policy. Ghana: Ministry of Education. The case study as a serious research strategy. Available at: www.t-tel.org/hub.html. In this paper, we used two analytical perspectives, the SDGs Goal 4 and the social model of disability, to understand whether or not student teachers are adequately prepared to deliver inclusive education in Ghana. Received: 29 September 2022; Accepted: 16 January 2023; Published: 23 February 2023. Assuming there is a learner with a mobility disability who uses a wheelchair in a school, will his/her characteristic of having an impairment be considered the barrier or some known access barriers such as storey building without elevators and staircase without accessible ramps? Available at: https://mofep.gov.gh/sites/default/files/news/Ghana-SDGs-Budget-Report-July-2019.pdf. 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. To achieve inclusive education, it is imperative that conscientious efforts are made to ensure that disability is mainstream, alongside other vulnerability/diversity variables, such as gender. Crit. (2012). Disability under this framework is seen as an interface between body functioning, health conditions and contextual factors (World Health Organization, 2007). Nancy was a Top 50 Finalist for the Varkey Global Teacher Prize 2015. Comp. Persons with disabilities constitute about 15% of the world population, with about 80% of them living in countries of the global south, including Ghana (World Health Organization, 2011). 9711 Washingtonian Boulevard, Suite 550, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 | 1-301-913-0115, By submitting your information, you agree to our, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access), Video of the Week: Dealing with digital distraction in the classroom, Secrets from the library lines: 5 ways schools can boost digital engagement, Follow the Money Insights from K-12 Experts, Creating a winning K12 esports infrastructure, Charter Communications (Spectrum Enterprise). During this period, they are required to keep a portfolio for the documentation of their field experience activities. The SDG 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (United Nations [UN], 2015). Further, the student teachers in year three are tasked to identify learners who struggle to overcome barriers. The student reflective journal and the observation checklists identify barriers to learning. Assoc. Education has long been recognized as a global priority. Also, the B.Ed. Curriculum in 2018 was written to reform education and the school curriculum. Beyond 2015, within the modern/colonial global imaginary? So, its good that you are bringing some of these things out. Particularly, the target 4.5 calls for the elimination of gender disparities and inequities in education, specifically highlighting the need to ensure access to education for persons with disabilities. Western Governors University WGU. Afr. Stressful school atmosphere, teachers' lack of knowledge and bad attitude towards work can equally hinder the reading process at this level. World Health Organization. These include talking, and chalking, marking . Inclusive education places emphasis on all aspects of education, including the pedagogy, school culture and environments that promote inclusion. and can opt-out at any time. There are two major case study designs: single-case study designs and multiple-case study designs. University surroundings and infrastructures that are accessible and inclusive for all: listening to students with disabilities. Politicians especially are noted for living luxurious lives at the expense of their country folks. The Togo slippery frog was thought to be extinct. University-Level Upgrade for Teacher-Training Colleges. These points provided below are responses and comments that were duly and diligently gathered through surveys and seminars in an attempt to provide some possible ways of raising teaching standards to an appreciable level in the country. GhanaS free senior high school policy: evidence and insight from data. Stay up to date on all the latest from Hey Teach: Get periodic emails that include exclusive content, special guides, and other great resources you wont find anywhere else! Una mirada desde la funcin de investigacin. This paper is framed on a case study methodology within the context of utilizing the social model of disability to examine the curricula of Colleges of Education in Ghana by investigating whether the student teacher is prepared enough to promote inclusive education. Education has long been recognized as a global priority. The policy emphasizes that the curriculum should stress three key principles: Setting suitable learning targets, responding to pupils diverse needs, and overcoming barriers to learning for individuals and groups of pupils. (2019). Paris: UNESCO. Spec. Avoiding anthropomorphism helps young people to open the closed box of AI applications. Howard, H. A., and Rhule, A. (2019). But here's what teachers do make: a difference in the world. doi: 10.36251/josi.149, Nakua, E., Yarfi, C., and Ashigbi, E. (2017). It must be noted that, although the student observation checklist contains some items on disability, the students were not required, in their reflective journals, to reflect on leaners with disabilities, their learning needs, and how they could be addressed to increase participation. However, in our nations current climate, saying the word teacher is like Forrest Gump opening a box of chocolates: you never know what youre going to get, as teachers too often are seen as a convenient scapegoat for the perceived problems that are plaguing public education. Ofori, E. A. on the eve of Ghana's independence and charged with the "dissemination of truthful unbiased news". The focus on myths and misconceptions is borne out of the fact that they are potential threat to preventive efforts [18-20]. Educ. Ghana 2012 human rights report. Teaching is the profession that makes all others possible, and what it lacks in salary, it makes up for in job satisfaction. 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. However, they posit that persons with disabilities are disabled more by their environment and other processes than their perceived impairments (Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation [UPIAS], 1976). By submitting you will receive emails from Hey Teach! Common misconceptions of Africa are explored in the second lesson, through a range of activities which again highlight the wide diversity of opportunities, challenges and life styles. World report on disability online. Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation [UPIAS] (1976). Social Policy and Disabled People: From Exclusion to Inclusion. B. Copyright 2023 eSchoolMedia & eSchool News. curriculum is used by Colleges of Education and other Universities offering education programs, as it was collaboratively produced by four teacher education universities with senior members of Colleges of Education (Ministry of Education National, 2017). In year one, student teachers are required to do classroom observations to enhance their learning. The critical question is what to teach? (2021). Teachers teach on average 24 periods per week. Most teachers I know work other jobs during the summer months. Harlow: Longman. Her work has appeared in The Huffington Post, The Guardian, Scholastic, Inc., the College Board, the Center for Teaching Quality, and Education Week. The study employed the descriptive research design. Incl. Here, Jo discusses common misconceptions that may prevent career changers from entering the teaching profession. She is the 2013 recipient of the Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award and the 2013 Boston Red Sox Most Valuable Educator Award. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. For example, in math, when you are teaching math, you will let them know that these and that are some of the misconceptions. There were storey buildings with no elevators, most of the entrances to the buildings were inhibited with steps and not ramps. Article 8 of the CRPD outlines measures that states parties could adopt to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to access education, including vocational training and lifelong learning. Dugbartey, A. T., and Barimah, K. B. further about the omission of an important aspect of school facilities, which is accessibility, from the student reflective portfolio, he made these remarks: I am very happy you brought this up. 10, 7086. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2012.673079. It could be an ice breaker or other warming up exercises that could exclude learners with disabilities. For example, ICF combines both the social and the medical models of disability. Breaking the barriers: Ghanaians perspectives about the social model. It's never wise to centralize power in one person, whether that's a superintendent or a mayor. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, Keywords: Ghana, inclusive education, persons with disabilities, student teacher, teacher preparedness, Citation: Naami A and Mort KS-T (2023) Inclusive education in Ghana: How prepared are the teachers? The Social Model of Disability: Europe and the Majority World. (2015). At the end senior high school (12th grade) students get to attend universities and other tertiary education institutions. "Kids Today Are Entitled, Dangerous Brats", I can assure you that most of today's students are hardworking, fun-loving, eager-to-learn youngsters. The curriculum of Colleges of Education in Ghana rightly states the need to identify barriers to learning and working with stakeholders to address these barriers, which is also listed in the student reflective journals. Our analytical tools, social model of disability and the SDGs goal 4 were synergistic, which allowed for comparative analysis. Available at: http://UNCT-GH-SDGs-in-Ghana-Avocacy-Messages-2017%20(5).pdf (Accessed August 4, 2022). Or maybe like those of firefighters: brave, self-sacrificing! I created a meme about the misconception, and almost immediately, a former classmate of mine wrote, "It also makes it almost impossible to get rid of bad teachers.". ), can be reviewed. 12, 2832. See Appendix A for details of the interview guide. (2021). (2011). He further made a remark, which we also observed on a visit to that College of Education. United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], (2021). Bentzen, L. (2015). The student teacher is also expected by the curriculum to recognize what makes him/her an inclusive teacher. The observation checklist requires student teachers to identify traits of professionalism of their mentor teachers compared with theirs. However, it is equally important to find out whether what the teacher does promotes participation or alienates others. In my view, it is good the government has assured Ghanaians that the CSE will not be. The sample was made up of one hundred and fifty-five students (155) from Aggrey Memorial . (2016). Each period lasts 45 minutes and each grade is expected to receive an average of 45 periods of instruction a week covering all subjects (nine periods a day for all subjects). "Teacher Tenure Means Teachers Can't Be Fired", In 2016, I was outraged when a politician made an untrue statement about teacher tenure, so I turned to Facebook to express my anger. 5, 115. The observation checklist and reflective journals do not make enough room for student teachers to self-reflect on disability, which could be a barrier to the education of persons with various forms of disabilities. It was widely speculated that black people had some immunity against COVID-19. Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability teaching at universities: Falling behind or getting ahead of the pack? Quality education for all? Educ. Umm.Not.So.Much. Beliefs on epilepsy in Northern Ghana. The construction of SDG4: reconciling democratic imperatives and technocratic expertise in the making of global education data? in World Yearbook of Education 2021. eds. Maybe a better phrase is, Those who teach create those who do. Michael Jay, One of my favorites is, Those who cant, teach. Teachers must be well educated in their field of study, of course,but that is only the beginning. Challenges of Inclusion: Local Support Systems and Social Service Arrangements for Persons with Disabilities in Suhum, Ghana: Baseline Study Report. Science, Language Arts, History), K-12 educators have committed themselves to developing skills in how to engage and foster growth of young people around the content and processes that comprise that area of expertise. All these barriers could inhibit access of persons with disabilities in the school and impact on their learning. Teacher education training for basic and secondary schools are undertaken by initial teacher education institutions. This view has gained currency among several scholars (Adams et al., 2018; Leal Filho et al., 2019; Stein et al., 2019). Let us know at submissions@eschoolmedia.com. We, therefore, recommend the need for student teachers to be grounded in disability issues in order to understand learners with diverse disabilities, their unique needs and how best they could help them. And since the student teachers are required to Recognize how the teacher is a key influence on a learners self-esteem and, as a consequence, their learning potential, there is the need for student teachers to be grounded in disability awareness to understand persons with disabilities, their issues and needs and how best they could be helped. 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). To deny or not to deny disability. The Curriculum College of Education in Ghana also recognizes effective class management as sine qua non for classroom participation. Attitudes and Disabled People. Yin, R. K. (1994). The teacher in the observation checklist can indicate that he/she is an inclusive teacher but prejudices and discrimination against persons with disabilities could cloud their self-consciousness about persons with disabilities. Teachers share the 12 biggest misconceptions people have about their job Rachel Gillett Sep 15, 2016, 7:37 AM PDT 'Bad Teacher'/Sony Pictures With more than 4 million teachers in the US,. Ghana Statistical Service. In Ghana, there is one common educational curriculum run by the Colleges of Education. eSchool News uses cookies to improve your experience. Take the example of a smart speaker. According to the Colleges of Education Act of 2012, Act 847, the process of preparing teachers in Ghana to teach at the basic school level takes place at the College of Education (CoE). Clean. - Equip teachers with good communication skills. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Want to share a great resource? Thus, there are questions regarding participation on the student teacher checklist which states that: Did the teacher encourage students to actively participate in the lesson? Access barriers encountered by persons with mobility disabilities in Accra, Ghana. London: UPIAS. World Health Organization. Other building facilities were ramped, but the ramps were not accessible. by Nancy Barile, Award-Winning Teacher, M.A.Ed. Conclusion We conclude that although knowledge and awareness about Ebola is high among Ghanaians who participated in the study, there are still misconceptions about the disease. Completed worksheets of pupils on concept cartoons of selected science topics were discussed and analyzed to find . My students work extremely hard to overcome obstacles and achieve. Consistent with Ghanas commitment to ensuring that all children are given the opportunity to exercise their rights through inclusive education, it ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the Dakar Framework for Action. true, instead, the Vocationalization of Ghana's education will put money into people's pockets (Anamuah-Mensah, 2004). High. Systematic random sampling was used. The principle of universal design in the policy offers learners multiple means of representation, expression, engagement, motivation and tapping into learners interest. This study investigated the use of concept cartoons to diagnose and remedy pupils' misconceptions in selected science concepts. If you're in the same boat, here's a handy cheat sheet to help set your lunatic cousin Larry straight when he claims to know more than you do about your own vocation. The main body of the module focuses on a comparison between two contrasting countries in Africa: Sudan and Ghana. I explained that tenure is a right to due process, so a teacher can't be fired without the administration presenting evidence that the teacher was incompetent or unprofessional. To these little ones, reading must be fun. One common belief about teachers is that we never work during the summer. 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. Similarly, it is common for teachers to use illustrative examples on the board or PowerPoint slides and ask students to see even though they have students with visual impairments. The Ghana news Agency (GNA) was established on March 5, 1957, i.e. Is Your Network Prepared to Meet the Demands of a Tech-Rich Environment? Both researchers independently coded the data to enhance the credibility of the study. The policy sets an agenda of child friendly schools, which implies schools in Ghana ought to look out for children; that is child-seeking and again they should focus attention on children; that is, schools should be child-centered. J. Disabil. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.07.034, PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). 3. doi: 10.21083/ajote.v3i2.2728. The Equality Act 2010 and the Social Model of Disability. However, disability is not mentioned in the four learning outcomes of the equity and inclusivity of the cross-cutting pillar and their targets. Although the various studies by Dodor et . Here are 10 misconceptions about teachers and teaching that emerged from readers (responses edited for brevity): The one misconception I would like to clarify is around the phrase, Those who can cannot do, teach. While many educators are active contributors to the particular area in which they have domain expertise (i.e. There is nothing like seeing your students succeed. International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children & Youth Version: ICF-CY. Edu. (2017). Oliver, M. (1990). J. Int. Prior to the 2018/2019 academic year, the Colleges of Education awarded diploma qualifications, while the universities awarded Bachelor of Education degrees and Post Graduate Diploma in Education PGDE/certificates in education.