The Ghana Education Service (GES) has explicit rules on teaching notes and working hours for teachers in the country.
While many teachers are aware of these rules, some still break them, making it important for the general public, including the National Teaching Council (NTC), parents, and guardians, to be aware of them.
Rules on Teaching Notes
According to the GES code of conduct, teachers must prepare relevant and adequate teaching notes for their work in advance.
It is the responsibility of the head of the institution to ensure that this is done.
In addition, teachers must set an adequate amount of written and practical exercises, give homework in all subjects they teach, mark and evaluate all written and practical exercises promptly.
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They must carefully set, mark, and manage their end-of-term examination, and avoid making derogatory remarks in the exercise books of students.
Teachers must also refrain from making pupils or students copy exercises or notes on the chalk or whiteboard while they are present or absent.
This is a duty that is solely the responsibility of the teacher.
Rules on Working Hours
The GES has also rules on working hours for teachers.
According to these rules, working hours per day shall be as prescribed by law.
Contact hours for staff and time for reporting for duty shall be determined through negotiations by GES and the unions.
Staff members must report for duty regularly and punctually as determined by the GES.
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They may be required to work beyond the required time in certain circumstances to be determined by the head or GES and the unions.
A record of attendance shall be kept in every educational institution, and it is the responsibility of the head of the institution to ensure that the record of attendance is kept.
Importance of Adhering to Rules
It is crucial for schools, especially private schools, to adhere to the rules on working hours for teachers.
Private schools often give extra duties to teachers outside the usual working hours, yet they do not remunerate their teachers for the extra sacrifices.
For instance, in some private schools, teachers are expected to leave home as early as 4 a.m. to join the school bus to pick up students from their respective locations from 5 a.m. until they get to school at about 7 a.m. or 8 a.m.
These duties are outside the usual school hours, and such teachers must be compensated by their employers.
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The GES rules on teaching notes and working hours are essential for ensuring that teachers provide quality education to students.
It is important for all stakeholders to be aware of these rules and ensure that they are adhered to by all educational institutions in the country.