Change method of training teachers if we are to see assertive pupils; untamed teachers, headmasters – Peter Anti

The Executive Secretary of the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST – Ghana) Peter Partey Anti has said students in Ghana seem not assertive because their teachers are also not bold.

He explained that in the event that teachers attempt to be assertive, they end up being victimized.

His comments come at a time the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has said that schools in Ghana and in other African countries should adopt what he calls an Assertive Curriculum.

This curriculum, he explained, will empower the African African child to ask questions and challenge the status quo.

In his view, the current way of teaching and learning where students are taught everything from the textbooks by their teachers and are assessed in examinations is not helpful.

It does not make them critical thinkers, he stressed.

Dr Adutwum said these when speaking at the ‘Transforming Education’ Summit at the 77th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly on Thursday, September 22.

The Bosomtwe Member of Parliaments said “I go to schools upon schools and I speak with the students, when I finish speaking with them I will ask, do you have a question for me? And no hand goes up. A hand is yet to go up in all my encounters in Ghanaian classrooms.

“We have tamed the children, we just want them to write down what we tell them, at the day of the exam they should put down what we have told them and say, you are the best student the country has seen.