Supported Teaching in Schools (STS) is one of the four pillars of the curriculum. The pillars set out the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for effective teaching; they are: Subject and Curriculum Knowledge; Literacy Studies: Ghanaian Languages and English; Pedagogic Knowledge; and Supported Teaching in School. STS is carried through the eight semesters student- teachers will spend in school.
Prior to the introduction of STS, Diploma in Basic Education students carried out their teaching practice in the third year where they taught for the two semesters. Students did ten days observation during the vacation. Student-teachers are taken through orientation before they are posted the communities to commence teaching practice. Students were supervised for a number of times by only college tutors.
The review of Colleges of Education from Diploma in Education to Four-Year Bachelor of Education also led to a review of Teaching Practice activities hence Supported Teaching in Schools (STS) was introduced. This was as result of some shortcomings of the DBE programme. Supported Teaching in School (STS) lies at the heart of the B.Ed. programme in Initial Teacher Education (ITE). STS is carried out throughout the Four-Year B. ED programme. STS is carried out throughout the four years as follows: Year one is Beginning; Year two is developing teaching; Year three is embedded teaching; Year four is Extended Teaching. Five semesters out the eight are used for observations.
Activities of Supported Teaching in Schools
Years 1 and 2 embark on twelve- (12) week visit in schools (one day per week in school) to observe.
The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) institution organises school visits as follows:
- Semester One for 6 weeks (a day in a week)
- Semester Two for 6 weeks (a day in a week)
Four (4) weeks in school working with and teaching small groups during college vacation in the inter-semester break. The ITE institution supports the students in organising/selecting the school.
Year 3 Semester 1, six (6) days observation (involving whole class and groups) in school through daily visits from college. In Semester 2, six (6) weeks working from home/residential in School towards 50% to 60% classroom responsibilities and undertaking small scale classroom enquiry.
Year 4 is Extended Teaching 1 and 2. The first semester is whole semester off campus teaching. In the second semester, students will be back on campus to embark on reflections of their off-campus teaching. The current level 400 students, when in level 300 second semester, did micro teaching (on campus). Students were put in smaller groups to teach and be supervised. In level 400, they embarked on macro teaching which was done off campus and students were assessed by both Tutors and Mentors. In the second semester, student teachers are doing reflections on the macro teaching they did in the first as they are back on campus.
Workshops
In carrying out the aforesaid activities’ workshops/orientations are done for College Tutors, GES Officers (Head of supervision, School Improve Support Officers (SISOS,) and Girl Education Officer in the Partner Districts), Lead mentors, mentors and student students. These workshops are carried out by the STS coordinator and the STS committee. Students’ orientations are done every semester before commencing STS activities for student teachers.
