Mr. Otoo spoke to Cynthia Prah of the UN Information Centre in Accra on how increased education financing can enhance students’ learning and boost teachers’ morale. Here are the excerpts:
What is your name, how long have you been teaching and what do you teach?
My name is Ebenezer Otoo. I teach at Winneba Secondary School, in Central Region. I've taught in this school for 14 years, but in total, I've taught for 22 years including in Basic School.
I teach art and ceramics. I am the head of the visual art department. It's a department that trains students to be skillful, to acquire vocational skills so that even when they leave school, they're able to work and earn an income.
We train students to use different techniques to produce pictures. Images can be on walls, mirrors, or canvas. We also have ceramics; we use clay to produce effects. Various artifacts in our community are ceramics.
We have sculptures made from elements such as wood, clay, basketry, etc.
Why did you become a teacher?
When I decided to become a teacher in 1997, I didn't really think about it at the time. My parents were not all that well off.
I wanted to study business in secondary school, but I found myself in teaching. And it has been good because I am able to touch many lives.
The students give me joy in everything I do. Some of my students completed school about 10-12 years ago and now occupy important leadership positions in the community.
How would you describe your 22-year experience as a teacher?
Awesome, but full of surprises and different experiences. As a teacher, you need a heart that accommodates many things. The students we teach are not all from the same home, and so they have different levels of discipline. A teacher must be a role model to the students, no matter their character or background.
I have learned to be patient. I learned to tolerate so many things. Sometimes you have difficulties with the students, colleagues, teachers or the educational sector itself. Because it's not all that you want that you get, but you must continue to work to produce results. Overall, I am happy.
What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a teacher?
One of the challenges I've faced is interference by politicians in our teaching profession. It is not giving teachers room to do what they would like to do. So, you may have an idea that will enhance the profession, but if the policy says you can’t do it, you'll not be able to do it.
We need a lot of resources. We don't have enough textbooks and teachers can't use their money to buy textbooks for students.
We have the challenge of infrastructure, in terms of equipment that an art teacher can use. If you don't have a studio to produce art, what do you do about it?
If you have the funds and resources, students learn more. In the case of art, they can do it themselves. They become independent, impact their lives positively and contribute to society.
How do you address these challenges?
Well, the government should increase its investment in education.
If you have the funds and resources, students learn more. In the case of art, they can do it themselves. They become independent, impact their lives positively and contribute to society.
What are you most proud of in your career as a teacher?
Being crowned as Ghana’s Most Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2021. It wasn't easy but God did it for me. I'm very proud of it because there are privileges attached to the award. A lot of respect is tied to it. Because of that award, I drive a branded pickup van.
I'm also proud that in 13 years of the 14 years that I've taught in this school, at least one of my students got 100 per cent in the West African Examination Council exams.
I'm also happy about our initiative, where we are sitting right now, which is a Hall of Fame. I initiated and created it, using my own resources. The school gave me the space, and the Ministry of Education will soon launch it. I'm seeking support so that every secondary school can have this kind of facility.
In the Hall of Fame, outstanding teachers and students will have their names and image in a sculpture that will be mounted. It will inspire many people to do their best for their schools.
Do you have any regrets about going into teaching?
To some extent, yes. Because, among other issues, it sometimes takes about three years to get a promotion. And when you are promoted, they tell you that your promotion will be effective at a future date. For example, you may have been promoted in 2021, but the effective date of increment in salary could be 2022.
Compared with other professionals, how are teachers in Ghana regarded?
Many other professionals are more respected than teachers. I believe bankers or doctors are more respected because they get a lot more resources to work with. Teachers are also respected by society but not as much as other professionals.
The good thing about us teachers is that we are with the people, the grassroots. They see us as part of them, which helps our relationship with students and their parents.
What message would you send to your colleague teachers around the world, especially in Africa?
My message is for them to continue to use education as a vehicle to develop students and society. Through the students, teachers can change the world.
Let us try our best to help students so that when they leave school, they are well equipped to make a better life for themself.
