The Bong County School System has concluded a one-day refresher training for 216 teachers, and school administrators in Gbarnga School District One.
The exercise was part of preparations for the reopening of schools, and the new academic year.
The training brought together teachers, and administrators from schools in the district, with emphasis to strengthen instructional skills, improve classroom practices, and prepare educators to effectively respond to the learning needs of students.
At the close of the workshop, Gbarnga School District One Education Officer, Silas Juahkollie said, the initiative was intended to refresh teachers’ knowledge, and sharpen their professional skills ahead of the new academic year.
Juahkollie: “The training covered educators working at different levels of the education system, including Early Childhood Development, primary, junior high, and senior high schools.”
He said, refresher training provides teachers with an opportunity to update their knowledge, exchange experiences with colleagues, and identify practical approaches to improve teaching, and learning. He expressed optimism that the workshop would contribute to a better-prepared, and more professional teaching workforce as schools reopen across the district.
Meanwhile, Philip Mulbah, a multiple-time Bong County award-winning teacher, and one of the facilitators of the workshop, said participants were exposed to several key areas relevant to effective teaching.
He said, the sessions focused on lesson planning, classroom management, professional ethics, and teachers’ conduct, among other areas to improve educators’ performance.
Mulbah encouraged participants to move beyond the training room, and apply the knowledge, and skills acquired in their respective classrooms.
He noted how the true impact of the workshop would be determined by how effectively teachers translate the lessons into improved classroom instruction, and better learning experiences for students. Several participants welcomed the training, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen their professional capacity before returning to the classroom.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Bong County School System for organizing the initiative, and pledged to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop.
They also called for the regular organization of similar professional development programs, arguing that continuous training is necessary to keep teachers equipped with modern teaching approaches, and better prepared to meet the changing needs of students.
The refresher workshop comes as schools in Bong County prepare to resume academic activities, with education authorities seeking to ensure that teachers, and administrators are adequately prepared for the new school year.
