Author: Raymond Komla Akadi
University of Professional Studies Accra
School of Graduate` Studies
Email: akadi.shine@gmail.com | raymondakadi@yahoo.com
Abstract
Nassozi (2010) cited Hornby (1948) and defines a teacher as the “person whose job is teaching especially in a school. A teacher therefore as observed by Kochhar (1997) and cited by Nassozi (2010), contributes significantly to the character of students. The teacher is where the strength of an education institution lies. It is unlikely for students to get superior education unless the teacher is superior. Kochhar (1997) was cited further by Immaculate (2010) and said that“whether that teacher is a person or a programmed text book, “No education system can rise higher than its teachers” (Uganda Government White Paper, 1992). Nassozi (2010) concurs with Luggya (1991) and found out that great educational institutions are built on talents and creativity of teachers especially on decisions that have direct bearing on their work. It is further agreed when Nassozi (2010) cited in Kochhar (1997) and comments that it is the teacher who matters most as far as the quality of education is concerned. Musaazi (1982) is cited in Nassozi (2010) who again found out that although teachers demand a lot of professional authority and autonomy from school administration in decision making, what they demanded for was mainly confined to classroom teaching forgetting that their administrative function stretches beyond that. This therefore called for a research conducted on the district to establish how teachers affected educational standards through their role as leaders. Factors such as poor teacher supervision, inadequate and late supply and arrival of materials, the teachers themselves, examination malpractices, improper use of instructional time, poor implementation of curricula at various levels, large class sizes and quality of teacher training as well as uncertainties in educational policies that exist in Ghana lead to the perception that, educational standards were falling.(Amedahe, 2014). Amedahe ( 2014) further stated that it is imperative for factors mentioned above and others to be critically looked at, to help improve educational quality and ensure high educational standards. He mentioned several reviews that Ghana’s educational system has gone through and asserted that this has led to increased access to education at all levels. According to further assertions by Amedahe (2014) the West African Examination Council (WAEC) carries out good deeds, but it is still important that it takes a hard look at the English language grading at BECE and the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations. (WASSCE), stressing that “poor English Language played a major role in the views of people on falling educational standards”. (p.6)
Keywords: Class Pedagogical, Students’ Discipline, Educational Standard
