Removing restrictions in Colleges of Education: Can we dance the consequence?

Removing restrictions in Colleges of Education: Can we dance the consequence?

There is a fresh air of ‘freedom’ blowing across the colleges of Education in Ghana (formally called teacher Training Colleges).  Since the upgrading of teacher training institutions to tertiary status, there have been growing demands about removing some restrictions that have hitherto existed.

Those who have supported this idea argued that since they are offering degrees and are now called tertiary institutions, why so many restrictions? Before we continue, what were some of the restrictions: the rules about dressings, wearing of uniforms, the hair-do of students, obtaining permission before stepping out of campus, etc?

The question one will however want to ask is this? What have been the adverse effects of these restrictions on teacher education in our country over the decades? This needs to be seriously interrogated.

As much as I believe in freedom, my point in this article is this:  there is what we call the burden of freedom and I am wondering whether college authorities can cope with the burden that this new freedom can bring.

I sincerely agree that freedom has advantages. My concern is that the final destination of the college student is largely the classroom as far as the job market is concerned. What this means is that whether we like it or not, teachers are trained to go back to transform the lives of children in schools.

So, what’s the point? My concern is this; any freedom you give them that will somehow affect the training they are to receive will be seriously catastrophic and counterproductive. Right now, we are already hearing the concerns of tutors about the new freedom on the campuses.

Removing restrictions in Colleges of Education: can we dance the consequence?

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I see a big issue here. When you give young people an inch, you know they will take a yard and add a meter to it. This is the danger. Look at our universities today and what freedom has brought. Look at the halls of residence and the filth, the rascality that prevails among some cross-section of students, all in the name of freedom. This is my fear.

When you start removing the restriction that a meant for students’ discipline all in the name of reaching a tertiary status, you will be courting danger without knowing. I am reliably aware that, even in the old system of running colleges, discipline was a headache for some college authorities. What do you think it will be like now when ‘freedom’ has come to the students?

Please before you wag your tongue at me, read between the lines and know my overall intent. Who wants to be restricted at a youthful age? No one! Who wants to be told what to wear all the time? No one! Who wants to be told the time to wake up and when to sleep? Apparently, no one!

But like I said earlier, there is what we call the burden of freedom, and I fear that If the colleges of education get there, the center will not hold. The resultant effect of this will fall on our innocent children in our kindergartens, primary and Junior high Schools. Don’t forget that children will definitely learn by observation.

I can only pray and hope that the college authorities will tighten the loopholes that this ‘freedom’ would bring.

Removing restrictions in Colleges of Education: can we dance the consequence?

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Most importantly, the transformation of the mind is the greatest asset that a 21st-century teacher can have. I hope that they receive nothing short of that as they are being prepared to teach in our schools. The standard of education in our dear country is already wabbling, let’s not add insult to injury.

For the love of God, society, and young people

Blessings

Rev Seth Kunkpe

Penfromafar…….. writing to make things right.

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