Withdraw Enrich English Language Textbooks | Researchers demand

A Team of researchers has called for the immediate withdrawal of 'Enrich English Language' text books used by Junior High Schools (JHS) in the country. According to the researchers, the books did not have the qualities to improve effective teaching and learning at the basic level. The researchers are from the Textbook and Educational Media Studies (TEEMS) at the Department of Publishing Studies, KNUST. The researchers said, the text books and the Teachers Guide from the same authors, which were approved-last year for JHS 1-3, were not resourceful enough to provide useful materials for teachers to enhance their proficiency in offering quality services to pupils. The researchers said the books also failed to meet the criteria for the policy for text book developpment in the country. According to TEEMS, teachers contacted on the books and their usage have also expressed concern about the book and how it limits their horizon. Giving details on why the books should be withdrawn, they noted that the teachers guide was supposed to give the teacher an orientation on what was packaged in the book and how he or she should teach, as well as why they should teach the way they should. They pointed out that the books had many limitations, especially when they are related to the text book policy adding that the teacher's guide is supposed to be the resource material that explains how and why certain tasks had been put into the books but in this instance that is not the case. TEEMS consists of a group of researchers, academics and associate experts who are well acquainted with educational publishing and materials development and the general book situation in Ghana and the developing world. The centre has been established in recognition of the central and critical role of textbooks and other learning resources in the achievements of the goals of education, particularly, in book famine communities, such as Ghana. Apart from undertaking extensive studies on the contents of text books at the basic level to determine their suitability, TEEMS also coordinates and executes a wide range of projects and activities in areas of research, education and training, as well as the documentation and information dissemination for local and international stakeholders in education and book development. It is affiliated with the Curriculum Research and Development Division of the Ghana Education Service, as well as the Ghana Book Development Council and the Ghana Book Publishers Association among others. Expressing concern about the nature of the Enrich English Language text books and the Teachers' guide during an interview with the Daily Graphic, the leader of TEEMS, Dr Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, said both the contents of the pupils books and teachers guide were the same. He stated that the teachers guide was supposed to offer a background for the teacher to enable him to be proficient in his delivery. He pointed out that "teachers would be teaching by rote and by recall if they depend on these books because teachers have no background on the guide book that they are using". Dr Opoku-Amankwa noted, "a good guide gives a comprehensive idea about the text book, how it had been organised, the methodology for use, the main lessons and guidelines, how to teach the theory, listening habits, reading and each unit and how to teach each lesson. “Unfortunately, this guide fails to address these needs, and to us, it becomes very difficult for teachers to depend on such books to teach in a more meaningful and effective manner," he stated.