Interview Questions for Would be Headteacher

Interview Questions for would be Headteachers in the Ghana Education Service.

1. What are the main functions of a headteacher in a school?

2. How do you deal with a difficult learner or teacher?

3. How would you describe your headteacher?

4. Outline any four activities in the Itinerary of a headteacher for a term.

5. Identify four features of a good lesson plan.

6. Which of these is the most important, a. What to teach? or b. How to teach?

7. What makes you the best choice for the headship?

8. List the various ranks in the Ghana Education Service from the highest to the lowest.

9. Describe the processes in the preparation of a School Performance Improvement Plan  (SPIP)

10. The Capitation Grant cannot be used to carry out some activities in the school. List any four of such activities.

11. How would you solve conflicts among  your teachers as a headteacher?

12. How would you correct a teacher who has taught a concept you think is contains errors.

13. a. List all the executives of a Parent Association.

      b. What are the Guiding Policies on the  formation of Parent Association?

      c. What in your opinion necessitated the removing of teachers in the Parents Association?

14. The Ghana Education Service has banned all forms of money collection or fees in the basic schools. List any four of such fees.

15. Mention any four Conducts expected by a teacher as contained in the Teacher's Code of Professional Conducts.

16. Identify any four managerial tools used by the headteacher.

17. Explain the following:
A. The Head as a Manager.
B. The Head as Leader.
Which of these two do you prefer and why?

17. Why should you be appointed as a Headteacher?

18. Describe any four administrative functions of the Head of a School.

19. Describe how you will help a teacher who always defaults in the preparation and submission of Lesson Notes. 

20. a. What are the Global/Core Competencies?

      b. List any five examples of the Global/Core Competencies.

21. How would you explain the differences between Misappropriation and Misapplication of Funds?

The Structure of the Kindergarten Curriculum

The Introduction of the New Curriculum, in Ghanaian schools have brought new dimension to teaching and learning at the Primary School and the Kindergarten.
In this discussion we will dwell on the New Kindergarten Structure.

Firstly, teaching in the KG has become interesting due to the introduction of this current curriculum.

The problem however, is most KG teachers are not aware of this or they were not adequately trained on the KG Curriculum.

First things first, the KG Curriculum is an integration of all the subjects curriculum in the primary school. A facilitator may have to look for some information in the primary school curriculum if he or she finds the one in the KG Curriculum insufficient.

The Following are the expected Pedagogies to be used in the Primary School.

1. The Thematic Approach
2. Play - based methods
3. Learner Centred Methods
4. Inquiry/Discovery Methods

For more information on the above consult the KG Resource Pack Page 20 - 25.

At the KG, the Time Table is actually a Daily Plan. This Daily Plan composed of

1. Self Registration System
2. Circle Time
3. Group Activity (Indoor/Outdoor)
4. Learning Centers
5. Story Sharing
6. Phonics Time

Self Registration
This is the system of registration where learners are allowed to register themselves in class. This system allows learners to move and participates in the class activity. It is after this that the teacher marks the register without calling names.

Circle Time
This is the time the Facilitator teaches the Lesson as is contained in the Learning Plan. Learners may sit in a circle, or Semi Circle or in a Horse Shoe formation.

Group Activity (Indoor/Outdoor)
During this period learners are put in groups to perform several activities in Numeracy, Language and Literacy,  and Creative Arts. Facilitators can do this both inside and outside the classroom.

Learning Centres
Every facilitator is expected by this curriculum to create  Learning Centres in the Classroom. A Learning Centre is a special placed dedicated in the classroom or in a special room for the purpose of teaching certain concepts or skills. So instance, you can create Home Centre, Reading Centre, Music Centre, Arts Cente, etc.

Phonics Time
This is the time the Facilitator is expected to teach Phonics. The recommended Approach so far is the Jolly Phonics Approach.
You can follow these links for more ....

You can can download resources on the Jolly Phonics by following the links......

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=come Gilberto tjolly.teachphonics.teachers

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rabie_mohamed.jolly

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=come

This means that, we need to set up our classroom to achieve such a target. This therefore means that every teacher should set up his or her classroom, so that children can learn consciously or unconciously. For inspiration on how to to set up your classroom search for  #konnectclassroom on Facebook. You can also Call or Whatsapp: 233278017492 on how to Set Up your Classroom.

Story Sharing
This is the last session of the day. The Facilitator is supposed to give short but interested stories to learners. These stories may be contained in a book, or drawn on Charts and pasted in the Classrooms. Facilitators may wear special costumes during story telling periods. These stories may be in both Ghanaian Language and English Language.

See how Teacher Gena dressed during Story Sharing...https://www.facebook.com/237442986772606/posts/685136285336605/?app=fbl

How to Set Up your Classroom?

Teaching in the 21st Century is entirely different from what we used to do. Today's classroom should be set for effective teaching and learning.
So this may require a teacher to be in a school a week or more before school resumes just to set up his or her classroom.

A well set up classroom would do among other things all the following:

1. Stimulates teaching and learning.
2. Maintains classroom discipline.
3. Encourage learners to always be in school.
4. Reduces teacher fatigue.
5. Reduces the rate at which the teacher talks.
6. Lessons are always learner - centred.

Why should a teacher Set Up His or Her Classroom?
1. Makes teaching and learning easier.
2. Encourage your learners to always be in school.
3. Maintains discipline in the classrooms.
4. Reduce teacher fatigue.
5. It makes learning Child - Centred.
6. Saves the teacher from too much talking.
7. Children learn both consciously and unconsciously.
8. Teaching resources is handy and always available for teaching and learning.
9. It prevents the teacher from abstract teaching.

Things needed to set up your classroom.
1. Old newspaper
2. Old Calendars
3. Cradboards
4. Manila Cards
5. Paper glue
6. Rice
7. Beans
8. Rice sac
9. Scissors
10. Posters
11. Toys
12. Old gadgets like radio, tv, etc
13. Old utensils
14. Poster Colours,  Crayons
15. Starch or Kooko
16. Story books

*Setting Up Your Classroom*

After successfully, getting all the materials you are ready to set up your classroom for effective teaching and learning.

Every term, your classroom setting have to different depending on which topics, skills or Concepts you will be teaching during the term or academic year.

Every Classroom Setting should have at least four Learning Centres.  Learning Centres are special rooms or dedicated places in the classroom for the purpose of teaching special concepts and skills.

Examples of Learning Centres ....

1. Home Centre
This is a Centre for the purpose of teaching home-based skills or Concepts like cooking,  cutting, chopping, peeling, mixing, etc. This place should have things like kitchen stuffs, radio, television, standing fan, etc. The place should look like a typical home. Papers can be used to make some of the materials.

2. Music Centre
This centre contains simple musical instruments like drums, flute,  xylophone, horns,  sticks, sticks, etc. Materials in the Music Centre should be capable of producing sound, rhythms, etc. Facilitators may look for local musical instruments and place them at this Centre.

3. Reading Centre
This is a Centre in the classroom for the purpose of teaching Reading. It is a mini library in the classroom or outside the classroom. This Centre should contain story books, leaflets, Old Newspaper, Calendars, posters,  magazines, story books, etc. Facilitators may also have a Video Player to show documentary or films for children, animals, people,  etc.

4. Arts Centre
This centre is designed purposely to teach Creative Arts.  It should have arts work from teachers, learners, etc. It may keep records of arts work by learners. Arts works in magazines, brochures, books, Calendars, etc may be kept in the Art Centre. Learners crafts madebfeom paper, wood, clay, etc may be placed in the Arts Centre.

5. Numeracy/Mathematics Centre
This is a Centre dedicated for the teaching of mathematics or numeracy. This Centre contain the Geoboard, ludo, Oware, Abacus, Cuisinaire Rod, Multibbased Blocks, Counters, Bundle of sticks, Charts,  etc

For inspiration on how to set up your classroom,  please search #konnectclassroom on Facebook

Activities in the Kindergarten

Date: 15th September,  2019.

Lesson 001

Topic: Activities in the KG  Dept

The break down of Activities in the KG
1. Circle Time
2. Phonics
3. Outdoor activities
4. Indoor Activities
5. Story Sharing


1. The Circle Time
This is the period the teacher teaches in the classroom, using resources,  etc. This is the subject you should teach. The lesson to be taught would be organised using the group method approach to teaching.  Children would sit in a Round Nature or Circle form.


2. Phonics Time
This is the time for teaching phonics to the children. The best Phonics Approach is The Jolly Phonics.


3. Outdoor Activities
These planned activities carried out outside the classroom. These lessons should be carried out to develop certain specialized skills in learners.


4. Indoor Activities
These are planned activities carried out inside the classroom for the children to certain special skills and concepts. Language Games,  Learning Games, Puzzles, Rhymes, etc.


5. Story Sharing
These periods are periods where the instructor gives meaningful and appropriate stories using appropriate resources.


By
AminuWrites

https://fb.com/AminuWritesAW

https://aminuwrites.blogspot.com

Call or Whatsapp:233244299706

How well do we know our learners?

The story of Fatima is a wake up call for all teachers and people who deal with children.

A girl by name Fatima went to school in the neighbouring village where she wasn't known well.

For three weeks, she came to school late and every time the teacher punished her.

On the fourth week, Fatima didn't attend school at all and many thought she had *GIVEN UP* on school due to the everyday punishment.

However, Fatima reported again on fifth week and this time she came earlier than everybody.

When the teacher came to class, Fatima was punished for not attending school the previous week but the teacher was also kind enough to commend her for coming early that day, stating that the punishments had finally yielded some results.

Just then, Fatima asked if she could say something and the teacher gave her permission.

*She started :*

_"I've been raised up by a single mother without a brother or a sister. Five weeks ago, my mother fell ill and was hospitalized. The three weeks I came late, I had to prepare something for her every morning and pass by the hospital to deliver the same. Unfortunately, mother passed away last week and that's the reason I didn't come to school. We buried her last Friday. Today I came early since I didn't have to prepare anything or even pass by the hospital. And now that she is gone, I will always be here early''_

As she sat down, no one in the whole class was able to hold their tears, the teacher was not spared either.

How well do we know our learners.  We should go beyond knowing the names of our learners. We should know their names, their parents, their local communities, their hobbies, dreams, fears,  likes and dislikes, etc.

We should go beyond the ordinary. Ordinary teachers just know their learners' name and class performance.

We all have issues that we have to deal with.  So do the children we teach.
That is why the rule of natural justice demands that we give fair hearing.  But teachers should apart from giving fair hearing, apply judgements based on compassion.


So next time your learner, misbehave, just don't start rebuking him or her, but apply compassion.


By Mohammed Aminu Mohammed
(Coach, Trainer, Teacher,  Educationist, School Administrator).
You can reach him via Call or Whatsapp: 233244299706.

https://fb.com/AminuWritesAW

Time to reduce the Stress

Many schools are trying hard and increasing workload of teachers with the hope that it will increase performance.

This will only increase rote learning and memorization of facts. It will also results in schools passing examination and yet getting their graduate into the Unemployment line.

We should not allow examination to be the only yardstick for success or teacher performance.
Every year, SPAM is organised in schools that did not perform in the Examinations. Government pride itself for doing better that its predecessor in education when the examination results is better as compared to the previous year's.

Passing Examination is not the main aim of Education.

Teachers and school heads do everything humanly possible,  and even impossible just to make their students pass an external examinations. But, do we blame them? No.  I don't think so.  We have made the system that way.

Schools lack the necessary materials for teaching and learning and yet, teachers are pressurized to produce better examination results.

The sooner you, me, parents and indeed government realises that education is not synonymous with passing an examination,  the better it will be for all of us.

Teachers should not be coerced into bringing out examination experts and passers.

So the next PTA Meeting, SMC Meeting and SPAM in our schools and communities should not focus solely on the examination results.

We should stop labelling some schools and teachers as non performing schools or teachers just because their students did not pass an examination. Schools should be allowed to develop the human faculty. Teachers should be allowed to mould the next generation of leaders.

The next generation would not depend on examination results to be employed.  High GPAs are no longer the qualification for employment.

Teachers should be allowed to focus on developing innovative, resourceful, resilient, creative and highly skilled individuals, for the future.

Examination is just another waste of time in the developments of the child.
Many dreams have been shuttered due to failure in an examination.  We should not continue this way.
Why should we continue ripping our country with the best individuals just because they failed in an examination.

Why do we forced every child in Ghana to study Mathematics,  Integrated Science,  Social Studies and English Language? Why? Why should you get a certain grade before pursuing a particular occupation. Why should we forced our children at the universities and colleges to learn subjects and concepts they may never used in real world? Why should we force every child in the Primary School to memorize the "Times Table" or multiplication table? What crime have the children done?
We need total shift in our mindset.

Schools should be resourced with enough and adequate materials to make teaching and learning activity based.

This is what I believe would save the next generation.






By
Mohammed Aminu Mohammed.
(Trainer, Coach, Educationist, School Administrator)
(Teacher, Gomoa West)
You can contact the write via Call or Call or Whatsapp: 233244299706.
https://fb.com/AminuWritesAW

Don't keep long

'Don't be late!' This is an admonishing most teachers are familiar with. Teachers usually issue this  command when children are going out for Recess or Break.

Children in an attempt to avoid wrath of the teacher on their two innocent buttocks, will not eat their favorite food, refresh and converse among themselves.

The resultant effect is that whatever the children have been taught will not be well assimilated. 

Health facilities these days are recording record - high Stress Related Diseases among school going children.

We must at all times ensure that children are giving ample time to rest and get refreshed.

We must not as teachers or educators encroach upon the time our children have to rest and get refreshed.