Ghana

Ghana Summary

3 Schools with 600 pupils

State School have up to 120 per class, so these schools have opened to try and give a better quality education with only 45 per class.

They are all fee paying schools but a blind eye is turned if the poor cannot pay. There education is secure.

All schools teach using rote.

They had 30 reading books between the three schools. They now have over 700.

Only three trained teachers all in specialist topics (i.e. French)

The Schools are in Ashiaman a slum area near the port of Tema. This is about a 40 minute drive from the capital city of Accra.

RATA first visited in 2008 and sent the first full team this year with 5 RATA teachers.

Comments from Ghanaian Teachers after this years RATA trip

RATA visit has helped us a lot in a way of teaching and how to take care of our children. I have learnt how to help them to learn.

RATA’s visit to my school has encouraged me in my teaching.

I have learnt not to use aggressive words at students.

RATA is here to build teachers in teaching and students in learning.

RATA should keep organising workshops like the one we had, in order to keep equipping us.

RATA needs to support the students with lots of readers.

RATA is here to help us upgrade our talent in the teaching field.

RATA has taught me how to make teaching and learning fun.

I have learnt that children can think numbers and interact with numbers and not just count on their hands and feet

My school will beam with children learning and laughing. They will enjoy the teaching not the seriousness that usually prevails.

I have learnt how to decorate my class with pictures, writing and also how to teach the children to read and write their own stories.

RATA can help my school by providing books to enhance learning.

RATA’s visit has helped my school by equipping the teachers on good and advanced teaching methods.

I have learned how to plan before I take a class.

I have learned that I need to encourage a student when he gets an answer wrong and not punish him.

We now have new ideas and techniques to teach our children. With this, our school can grow.

RATA impacted a teaching spirit into our teachers.

I want more workshops conducted to help my teaching.

Itinerary of Ghana Trip 2009

To give you an idea of what happens on a Rata trip we have included below the details of our 2009 trip to Ghana.

JUNE 30 - JULY 11, 2009



ARRIVAL

Monday, June 29, 2009, 11.30pm at Kotoka International Airport 
Accra, Ghana.

TEAM RESIDENT

WEC Guest House, by Dimples Bus stop, off Olusegun Obasanjo 
Way Abelenkpe, opposite Bedmate Furniture company

.

EVENTS

JUNE 29 Team arrived in Ghana

JUNE 30 - JULY 2 Team visited Sogakokpe Villas Cisneros for rest and relaxation.
JULY 2. Team visited the three school on familiarization tour.
JULY 3. Team members dispatched to their assigned schools for the work at hand. Group 1 to Lord star, Group 2 to Christ Believers.
JULY 4. Excursion visit to Boti falls in the Eastern Region
.
JULY 5. Thanks giving service and a Birthday celebration at CBM church AShaiman.

JULY 6. Group 1 were at Lord star school, Group 2 were at Christ Believer's Ministry school.
JULY 7. Group 1 were at Lord Mission school, Group 2 at CBM
.
JULY 8. Group 1 at Lord Mission, Group 2 at CBM school.
JULY 9. Teachers' only day was held at Lord Mission School with teachers from the three schools in attendant.

HIGHLIGHTS

Discussion of RATA TEAM'S report on individual school with the school's head.
 Briefing on what Rata is and represents, 
Mission to Ghana
 workshop stressing Numeracy, Phonics, Story telling and Behaviour Management. 
Shopping for books and learning materials.

JULY 10. Mini carnival for farewell and appreciation to the RATA team by the Management, Staff and Students of the schools.
 Presentation of books and learning materials to Mr Cliff Martins on behalf of the three schools.



REACTIONS

HEADS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOLS
The programs and teaching methods are very impressive and result oriented.

Has awaken them to the consciousness of Management procedures.
Drawing out principles.

Mission statement
.
Details of how to achieve their mission
.
Checking on alternatives to corporal punishment.

Making every part of the school a learning opportunity with poster decoration.

THE TEACHING STAFF
Teaching can be fun
.
Teaching and learning brings teacher and students together
.
Teaching techniques that really work.

Managing the classroom and the mind of students
.
Impacting creativity through learning games.
Making the school a second home for the students.

THE STUDENTS

Happy at school.

Can love their teachers more and trust them
.
Helps them to ask questions in class and gain insight.

Relate words and meaning
.
Thinking of how to solve problems.

Financial Report for Ghana Team

Cost per Teacher

Accommodation - $304.00
Van Hire and Fuel - $250.00
Cape Town leg - $250.00
Flights and Visa's - $4050.00
TOTAL $4854 (per teacher)

COUNTRIES