September 16, 2021
By Aruna Kamara
The Administration of the Bo Government School has organized a two day staff retreat and training workshop in order to enhance the actualization of the free and quality education agenda through school based in-service education.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the retreat on Wednesday at the Dohas Hotel Conference Hall in Bo, the Principal of the Bo School Edward Kpakra said that the staff retreat and training workshop is geared towards building and developing the skills of the staff by providing adequate and relevant training focused primarily on teaching, learning, assessment, up to date classroom teaching approaches and curriculum.
He said that considering the division that had existed amongst members of the teaching staff and school administration prior to him assuming office, this retreat and training workshop will continue to create a congenial atmosphere of trust and allow team building and bonding.
Mr.Kpakra entreated the staff to make meaningful input during the retreat in order to have positive learning outcome in the school.
According to him, trained facilitators in the teaching profession will deliver presentations on relevant topics that will help the staff deliver quality service that will ultimately take the school to a higher height.
The National Program Director of the Free and Quality Education, Amara Sowa commended the new principal of the Bo School for his initiative to organize a retreat for their staff to enhance actualization of the Free and Quality Education introduced by President Bio.
He said the standard of education has dropped over the years and President Bio is committed to reversing the trend of falling standard of education.
Mr. Sowa said that everybody should be involved to achieve the Free and quality education but teachers have a key role to play.
“I am happy that the Bo School where I attended is setting the pace for other schools to follow to provide in-service training for the teachers,” He noted.
He added that it is good that the principal is bringing the teachers together to heal wounds as they have been divided, which impedes quality learning outcomes in the School.
The Program Officer of the Free and Quality Education, Joseph Lamin said that there is no way the government can effect changes within the educational system without the total involvement of the teachers and thus the reason teachers are key in the actualization of the Free and quality education.
He thanked the administration of the Bo School for undertaking such a venture to organize the retreat for teachers to be empowered to deliver quality service to the pupils.
The teachers described the retreat to be unprecedented and promised to give their contribution to get quality learning outcomes.
Topics to be discussed in the two days retreat include Teaching and Learning Strategies, assessment feedback and marking, classroom behavior management strategies, career advice and guidance, method of teaching science.