Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, nominee for Deputy Minister of Education, outlined several key policy initiatives during his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee. Central to his agenda is addressing the transportation challenges faced by teachers, particularly in remote areas. He highlighted instances of teacher absenteeism and tardiness attributable to transportation difficulties, emphasizing the negative impact on educational delivery. The proposed solution involves government support to facilitate teacher vehicle ownership, enabling reliable and timely access to schools. This initiative acknowledges the crucial role teachers play in the educational system and aims to improve their working conditions, thereby enhancing their effectiveness.
Beyond transportation, Dr. Apaak emphasized the importance of teacher professional development and welfare. He underscored the government’s commitment to supporting teachers’ pursuit of professional courses and advocating for improved welfare provisions. This commitment stems from the understanding that a well-supported and continuously developing teaching workforce is essential for providing quality education. Furthermore, Dr. Apaak highlighted the intention to reinstate Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to foster collaborative engagement between parents and school authorities. These revitalized PTAs would serve as platforms for dialogue on school challenges and mobilize resources to enhance educational facilities, promoting a shared responsibility for educational improvement.
Addressing the issue of abandoned educational infrastructure projects, Dr. Apaak pledged to prioritize the completion of e-blocks and other unfinished projects initiated by the previous administration. This commitment reflects a focus on maximizing resource utilization and ensuring equitable access to quality educational facilities across the country. These efforts will aim to address infrastructure deficits and create conducive learning environments for students in various communities. By completing these projects, the government aims to expand access to quality education and provide modern learning facilities for a greater number of students.
Combating examination malpractices was another key focal point of Dr. Apaak’s presentation. He advocated for increased resourcing of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), enabling the council to deploy its own invigilators rather than relying on external personnel. This measure aims to enhance the integrity of the examination process by ensuring rigorous supervision and minimizing opportunities for malpractice. Dr. Apaak also proposed the implementation of serialized examination papers, requiring candidates within the same examination center to answer different questions, further strengthening the security and credibility of the examination system.
Dr. Apaak also addressed the provision of educational materials, emphasizing the complementary roles of both traditional textbooks and electronic learning resources. He advocated for a holistic approach to teaching and learning that leverages both formats to enhance educational delivery and cater to diverse learning styles. This balanced approach recognizes the continued relevance of textbooks while embracing the potential of technology to enrich the learning experience. By combining traditional and digital resources, the government aims to create a more engaging and effective learning environment for students.
Finally, Dr. Apaak reiterated his commitment to collaborating with the substantive Minister of Education to effectively implement the educational policies outlined by President John Mahama’s administration. This pledge underscores his dedication to advancing the government’s educational agenda and working collaboratively to achieve the stated goals. Dr. Apaak’s presentation reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges facing the education sector, focusing on teacher welfare, infrastructure development, examination integrity, and the effective utilization of educational resources. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and examination bodies, to achieve meaningful improvements in the educational system.
