The General Manager of Catholic Schools in Ghana, Mr. Francis Batadjon has urged Local Managers and Heads of Catholic Schools in the Donkorkrom Diocese to establish cordial relationship among themselves in the management of the Catholic Schools in the area.
He made this known during his keynote address at his familiarisation visit to the diocese. The visit brought together all Local Managers and Heads of Catholic Schools in the diocese, held at the Alfons Merten Centre, Donkorkrom.
He encouraged the Local Managers to pay working visits regularly to their schools in order to familiarise themselves with the school environment.
“We need to develop good working relationships with our colleague stakeholders in education, that is
, learners, facilitators, headteachers, Local Managers, Regional Managers, District, Municipal and Regional Directors without compromising the channel of communication” the General Manager said.
He bemoaned the situation whereby some Local Managers do not visit their schools at all or not at regularly basis. This, he said, is affecting the growth of our Catholic Schools negatively.
He expressed worry that some Local Managers again do not have a good working relationship with their heads, which do not auger well for the schools.
He equally challenged the school heads to exhibit maximum respect to the Local Managers and consult them frequently on all matters concerning their schools, since they are the owners of the schools as representatives of the bishop.
He pointed out four key pillars which will serve as a guide to enhance the performance of his administration and the entire Catholic education in the country. These are : Promotion of Catholic Identity in our schools, Provision of Holistic Education, Improvement of Teaching and Learning Outcomes in our schools through capacity building for both facilitators and learners, and Decision-making based on accurate, relevant and timely information for the growth and development of our schools.
These he believes with proper orientation and implementation can bring huge transformation to our Catholic Schools in the country.
The General Manager admonished the non- Catholic school heads not to be hostile to the church because they do not share the same faith.
“Always remember that as workers of the Catholic Church, we must owe strong allegiance to the Church. Thus, we should not do anything to damage the church’s reputation” the manager urged. They should remember it is the same church that has established the schools where they have fully been employed. Hence the need not to tarnish the image of the very institution which has offered them job opportunity.
As heads of schools, the vetting of lesson plans by their class instructors should be done with all seriousness and not casually. The attitude of only ticking the lesson plans without proper perusal is unacceptable under Ghana Education Service regulations.
The lesson plan should also take into consideration the environment and the students. Since the students are different with different nature and learning capacities.
He called on the school authorities and teachers to respect the Ghana Education Service abolishment of corporal punishment. He advised them to find alternative disciplinary measures to control the students and ways to motivate them to learn.
He admitted that the students are increasingly becoming indiscipline, but care must be taken to handle them.
The teachers he encouraged to appreciate and be proud of their profession and stop the continual complains about the teaching profession. They are to upgrade themselves in their educational status and do proper investment and savings for a better future for themselves and their families.
He bemoaned the situation where some teachers go through difficult life after retirement, because of poor retirement plans.
In relation to succession plans, he asked the heads to groom some of their colleagues in their schools, so that sometimes it can be easy to get their replacement. They should also employ team work in their administrative activities.
He concluded his keynote address by indicating three most significant qualities needed by every person especially the teachers, to succeed in their career. These are: the fear of God i.e. the God-factor, Professionalism i.e. knowledge of work, environment and people around you and Character i.e. values and virtues possessed.
By: Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo- DEPSOCOM Donkorkrom
