MoE changes criteria to appoint Second Cycle School headteachers
The Ministry in Charge of Education (MoE) after conscious consultations with relevant stakeholders in the education sector has revised the criteria for appointing government Second Cycle School headteachers in the country.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education addressing the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs said the appointment of a teacher to head a Senior High School (SHS) will not be based on his/her years in the service.
Saying that years of service alone cannot qualify a teacher for the headteacher position currently, he said a teacher will now have to go through the National Education Leadership Institute (NELI) where he would receive training in Human Relations and other relevant courses before appointment.
The National Education Leadership Institute (NELI) the Education Minister and Bosomtwe Member of Parliament said is fashioned to give teachers the requisite training to take up the headmaster job effectively and efficiently.
“Basically, in Ghana, the head teacher position is given to people who have taught for a long time. Elsewhere, head teachers are given training before being appointed to the position,” the Minister of Education told the Chiefs.
At the meeting, he noted that the National Education Leadership Institute (NELI) has received all necessary approvals and funds and has begun its mandate to train headteachers of various Second Cycle Schools in the country.
“I have the approval to set up the National Education Leadership Institute. Cabinet has approved it and funds have been received to start it. Selected heads of departments from various SHSs are undergoing training,” Adutwum noted.
About NELI
The Ministry in Charge of Education (MoE) led by Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum this year established the National Educational Leadership Institute (NELI) to enhance the capacity and skills of leaders in the education sector.
The purpose of the Institute is to provide specialised professional leadership and management development training for individuals holding or intending to hold leadership and management positions in educational institutions.
The Education Minister at the launch of the Institute said a total of 400 leaders from all parts of the education sectors have been selected to be trained for the piloting phase for five months beginning November to March 2024.
The participants at the end of their studies, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum indicated would receive Continuous Professional Development points and professional certification in Strategic Leadership.
The Minister for Education also said the Institute would equip participants with the requisite leadership knowledge and skills to bring transformations in their administrative and teaching jobs.
“We are committed to transforming the nation through education and one of the ways to get the requisite results is to get people with good leadership skills to be at the helm of affairs to bring about the change we want,” he said.