GES Promotion Interview Questions & Answers (All Areas) Part 3

QUESTION 1

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME? WHAT HAS BEEN THE ADVANTAGES OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION?

It is an educational programme or a social intervention introduced to step up enrolment drive, fight malnutrition among school children and reduce drop-out rate in schools. The programme was introduced on a pilot basis in September 2005 and started nationally in 2006 increasing in coverage over the years.

The programme involves providing lunch to pupils in the KG and Primary schools captured under it. As at the end of the 2017/2018 academic year around 2. 4million pupils were benefiting from the programme.

The general positive effect of the introduction of the School Feeding Programme has been increase in the school enrolment especially in the deprived areas, reduction in drop-out rates, improvement in nutritional value in children’s feeding and income generation among the local people who produce foodstuffs and provide the meals.

 

QUESTION 2

WHAT IS THE CORE DUTY OF A CIRCUIT SUPERVISOR?

The core duty of a Circuit Supervisor is to link the District Office and the schools to ensure quality teaching and learning.

In so doing he gives professional training to heads and teachers, monitors teaching and learning to ensure quality output from heads, teachers and pupils, identifies the needs of a school and makes recommendation for improvement, collects data for educational management, and checks teacher behaviour-lateness, absenteeism, vacation of post, ghost names, etc.

The Circuit Supervisor also makes recommendations for motivation of staff. Generally, he makes sure that educational policies are implemented in the schools.

 

QUESTION 3

NAME THE FOUR FRONT LINE ASSISTANT/DEPUTY DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION AT THE DISTRICT EDUCATION DIRECTORATE AND THEIR DUTIES

The four front line Assistant / Deputy Directors are:

1. AD, Human Resource Management and Development

2. AD, Finance and Administration

3. AD, Planning (Data collection, Resource Monitoring & Evaluation)

4. AD, Supervision

 

The duties of the AD Human Resource Management and Development include:

1. Posting of newly trained teachers in consultation with the District Director.

2. Staff training and development.

3. Ensuring welfare of staff.

4. Transfer of teachers.

5. Processing applications for study leave, annual leave and maternity leave.

6. Handling promotions and promotion interviews.

7. Ensuring that personal files are kept for all personnel.

8. Collaborating with Finance & Administration to ensure the monthly submission of Social Security contribution lists.

The duties of the AD, Finance and Administration include:

1. Ensuring the payment of earned wages and salaries.

2. Ensuring the elimination of ghost names from the payroll.

3. Budget preparation and execution.

4. Preparation of financial reports.

5. Monitoring and evaluation of financial administration.

6. Supervision of projects and reporting on them.

7. Chairing the Budget and Procurement Committee meetings.

The duties of the AD Planning Data Collections, Resource Monitoring and Evaluation) include:

1. Keeping of records on number of schools, classrooms and furniture in the district.

2. Compiling list of teachers and non-teaching staff with their particulars on school and circuit levels.

3. Collection and collation of enrolment figures of pupils by sex, class and school.

4. Distribution of textbooks and teaching and learning materials to the schools.

 

The duties of the AD, Supervision include the following:

1. Conducting school inspection and following up to ensure effective teaching and learning and writing reports on such inspections.

2. Organizing in-service training programmes.

3. Conducting assessment texts like Performance Monitoring Tests (PMT) and Cretarian Reference Text (CRT)

 

QUESTION 4

WHAT ROLES DO PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS (PTAS) PLAY IN THE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF 2ND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS?

Parent Teacher Associations, as stakeholders of their educational institutions, make contributions to supplement the government’s efforts in educational development. Apart from serving on the schools’ Board of Governors to provide policy advice PTAs undertake the following:

1. Provision of infrastructure such as classrooms, libraries, dormitories and science laboratories.

2. Provision of equipment like tables and chairs, power generating plants, water pumping machines and mowers.

3. Provision of means of transport and water tankers for the schools.

4. Donation of teaching and learning materials.

5. Rehabilitation works on school buildings and vehicles.

6. Granting of interest-free short-term loans to the schools in times of financial difficulties.

7. Provision of welfare services such as financial assistance to needy staff, subsidizing staff break time snack, sponsoring speech and prize-giving days and supporting the organization of extra classes for students.

8. Supporting the school authorities in maintaining discipline among students.

 

QUESTION 5

WHAT BOARDS WERE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE EDUCATION ACT 778, 2008?

The boards established under the Education Act 778, 2008 were:

1. National Inspectorate Board (NIB),

2. National Teaching Council (NTC)

3. National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA).

 

QUESTION 6

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OR INNOVATIONS UNDER THE EDUCATION ACT 778, 2008?

Some of the highlights or innovations under the Education Act 778, 2008 include the following:

1. Pre-tertiary education has been brought under the control of the District Assembly

2. It gives the Ghana Education Service a co-ordinating role in the management of pre-tertiary education.

3. Teacher Training Colleges have been upgraded to tertiary status and are now awarding diploma certificates, and very soon degree certificates.

4. There is provision for Junior High School drop-outs to undertake one-year apprenticeships training of choice.

 

QUESTION 7

WHAT IS DECENTRALIZATION AND WHAT ARE ITS RELATED ADVANTAGES? GIVE EXAMPLES OF HOW IT WORKS IN THE GHANA EDUCATION SERVICE.

Decentralization means giving or delegating power or authority from the national level or central point to a lower level such as the district to take decisions and implement the decisions so taken.

Decentralization brings about capacity building at the local levels. As and when they take and implement decisions they build upon their skills.

The local levels are able to take decisions on their real needs instead of being forced on them from the national level.

Decentralization is cost saving-instead of a person travelling to the national level to undertake an activity he does so at the local level to save cost of transportation and other related expenses.

With decentralization decision taking and implementation are faster-it is time saving.

Examples of decentralization in the Ghana Education Service are the conduct of promotion interviews for grades up to Deputy Director and analogous grades at the regional levels, promotion up to Senior Supt I levels at the District levels, transfer of personnel at the district levels and existence of School Management Committees (SMCs) at basic school levels.

 

QUESTION 8

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DECENTRALIZING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO THE DISTRICT LEVEL?

The advantages are that

1. Locals are involved in decision making and therefore undertake programmes based on their priorities instead of dictates from the national level.

2. The Districts get their fair share of the national resources instead of being based on the ability to lobby.

3. Decentralization helps to build capacity at the district level since some personnel would have to be trained for new roles and they also improve upon their skills as they work on their jobs.

4. Decentralization reduces cost and also saves time.

However, decentralization can lead to diversion of resources from one department to the benefit of another within the district.

Lack of capacity at the district level can affect the planning and execution of some programmes.

Political division at the Assembly can negatively affect the implementation of programmes.

 

QUESTION 9

WHAT IS CONVERSION OF STAFF AS IT EXISTS IN THE GHANA EDUCATION SERVICE? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONVERSION AND UPGRADING / PROMOTION?

Conversion means changing status of grade from one class of staff, e.g. teaching, to its analogous grade in the other class (non-teaching). Conversion does not bring about upward movement in grade or change in salary. Before one can be converted he should have relevant academic / processional qualification and working experience in his new field.

Conversion brings about the official change in schedule of work, e.g. from teaching to performing accounting duties.

Conversion is irreversible once granted.

The differences between conversion and upgrading / promotion are as follows:

1. Conversion is a movement from one class of staff to its analogous grade in the other class and therefore does not bring about change in salary or grade as pertains under upgrading/promotion which is within the same class.

2. Conversion brings about change in basic schedule of work but that is not so with upgrading / promotion.

3. Conversion can be granted by satisfying three basic conditions: i.e. relevant qualification in the new field, working experience and vacancy in the system, Whereas these three factors do not jointly affect upgrading / promotion.

 

QUESTION 10

AS A UNIT OR DEPARTMENTAL HEAD HOW WOULD YOU MOTIVATE YOUR STAFF TO GIVE OF THEIR BEST TO SUPPORT YOU TO INCREASE OUTPUT?

1. The staff should be helped to build upon their capacity by training them on the job.

2. There should be delegation of duties and supervision of work.

3. The staff should be encouraged to do further studies.

4. The head should be free with his staff so that there could be free flow of information and discussion of ideas.

5. They should be praised and rebuked as and when necessary.

6. They should be respected and their views / suggestions taken.

7. As much as possible their legitimate benefits should be paid to them.

8. Fair and constructive report should be given about them when required to do so.

9. They should be provided with conducive working environment e.g. provision of required equipment and well-ventilated office.

10. Some incentive packages can be made available to them especially those in schools with the support of the PTA.

 

QUESTION 11

HOW WOULD YOU RESOLVE A CONFLICT OR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO OF YOUR SUBORDINATES?

1. The first step is to know the cause of the conflict so the two would be called individually to listen to their sides of the issues of the conflict.

2. Witnesses, if any, should be called as mentioned by the parties and their independent views considered.

3. The two parties should be brought together and each person’s mistake pointed out to him being as fair and frank as possible.

4. Where one has wronged the other, he should be asked to apologize to him and the offended also encouraged to forgive the other.

5. Advise them to live in unity and peace in the interest of their job, the Service and their own health.

6. Finally ask them to shake hands or embrace each other as a sign of reconciliation.

 

QUESTION 12

WHEN CAN AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS COMMITTED A SERIOUS OFFENCE BE DISMISSED FROM THE SERVICE?

An employee who has committed an offence can be dismissed from the Service only after appearing before a disciplinary committee ranging from the School, District, Regional to the Headquarters levels and being found guilty of the offence levelled against him and having been given the chance to defend himself. The Director-General of the Service will submit his report, if necessary, to the GES Council and it is the Council which has the final authority to terminate the appointment of an employee.

 

QUESTION 13

WHY DO PERSONNEL OF THE SERVICE, ESPECIALLY TEACHERS, REFUSE TRANSFER/POSTING TO RURAL COMMUNITIES? WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MITIGATE THE SITUATION?

Most personnel of the Service refuse transfer and posting to rural communities because of unfriendly conditions which include the following:

1. Lack of good dwelling accommodation,

2. Inadequate academic facilities for advancement of personnel and their children,

3. Lack of basic social amenities like electricity, good drinking water and health facilities,

4. Poor transportation and communication systems,

5. Lack of recreational facilities and

6. Limited scope of choosing future partners in the rural areas especially in the case of the females.

To mitigate the tendency there should be special government package for teachers who serve in the rural areas.

The package could include simple staff accommodation, short period to qualify for transfer, relaxed terms of study leave with pay, sponsorship for children, accelerated basic promotion, provision of basic means of transport like bicycles and motor bikes on hire purchase and introduction of rural inconvenience allowance.

The District Assemblies can also sponsor trainee teachers from the rural communities who would be bonded to serve in those localities after completing the training programme.

SMCs can also assist the staff to solve basic problems like accommodation and conflict with local people.

 

QUESTION 14

WHY DO PRIVATE SCHOOLS PERFORM BETTER THAN THE PUBIC (GOVERNMENT) SCHOOLS AT THE BASIC LEVEL?

Private schools at the basic level perform better than their public counterparts because of the following reasons:

1. There is close and effective monitoring and supervision of the teaching and learning processes and other school activities.

2. There is adequate supply of textbooks and other teaching and learning materials because parents are more willing to provide them.

3. Parents’ commitment to their children’s education at the private schools is higher than that at the public.

4. On the average there is better school environment – classrooms, furniture, library, computers, etc.

5. Class sizes are comparatively smaller at the private schools thus promoting effective teaching and learning.

6. There is better staff motivation even though basic salary is comparatively lower.

7. There is low rate of absenteeism among both teachers and pupils.

 

QUESTION 15

WHEREAS SECOND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS IN THE URBAN AREAS CONTINUE TO GROW NUMERICALLY SOME OF THOSE IN THE RURAL AREAS ARE COLLAPSING BECAUSE OF POOR ENROLMENT. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS TO THIS TREND?

The major causes of the near collapse of some rural community schools are:

1. Limited infrastructure in the form of classrooms, dormitories, science laboratories, libraries and computer laboratories,

2. Limited social amenities like good drinking water, electricity, good road network to the localities, staff accommodation and general transport problem,

3. Lack of school vehicles to convey day students to and from school,

4. Lack of local interest and desire of parents to send their wards to popular schools in the urban areas,

5. Comparatively lack of experienced and more qualified teachers in such schools and the desire of the few good ones to migrate to urban schools because of better opportunities,

6. Teachers’ refusal to accept postings to such areas,

7. Siting of schools not taking into consideration the peculiar needs of the communities and catchment areas,

8. Low financial stand of parents and inability to pay fees thus bringing about dropouts and

9. Rural economic activities like illegal mining (Galamsey) which affect school attendance.

The address of the issues enumerated above and the provision of special incentive packages for teachers posted to schools in the rural schools can reduce the trend.

The government’s free Senior High School Education Programme is very likely to change the trend.

 

QUESTION 16

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE BOARDING SYSTEM IN SECOND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS?

The boarding system of education entails keeping students at the school on termly basis, thus having little access to the domestic environment.

The advantages of the boarding system include the following:

1. The students build social and cultural links.

2. There is enough time for learning.

3. The planned menu for feeding them ensures healthy growth.

4. They are able to take part in extra curriculum activities which also promote healthy growth and socialization, e.g. sports, culture, etc.

5. Comparatively it is less costly and more convenient than the day system.

The boarding system has the following disadvantages:

1. Some students acquire bad habits like smoking and gambling from their peers at the boarding house.

2. Bullying of students, especially first years, creates lasting hatred in them.

3. Where there is overcrowding it could lead to outbreak of diseases which spread quickly among the students.

4. Students are disadvantaged, especially the females, in learning domestic chores like cooking.

 

QUESTION 17

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE DAY SYSTEM OF EDUCATION?

The advantages of the day system are as follows:

1. It helps the student to develop domestic skills while still going through his formal education.

2. It helps the less privileged also to acquire education since it doesn’t involve paying lump sums of money at a go.

The disadvantages of the day system are as follows:

1. Most day students are not able to develop their hidden talents since they don’t take part in extra curriculum activities.

2. The student doesn’t get enough time for studies, especially the females, since they have to take part in domestic chores.

3. Day students may not have adequate or convenient learning environments.

4. There is the risk of commuting between home and school.

5. In totality the day system is more expensive than the boarding system taking into account transportation and other costs.

 

QUESTION 18

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CAUSES OF STUDENTS’ UNREST AND HOW CAN IT BE REDUCED TO THE MINIMUM?

The major causes of students’ unrest include the following:

1. Poor teaching resulting from inadequate teaching and learning facilities and laziness and poor preparation on the part of some tutors,

2. Poor communication between school management and students,

3. Poor feeding of students,

4. Management’s inability to provide services that students have paid for e.g. sports, entertainment, etc.,

5. Teachers involvement in examination malpractices,

6. Charging of unapproved fees,

7. Overcrowding at dormitories, classrooms and dining hall,

8. Underground dealings of some old students who have axe to grind with the school head,

9. Influence of the local people,

10. Disagreement between top management and some aggrieved staff and

11. Relaxed supervision on the part of house masters and class tutors.

Generally, students’ unrest can be reduced by addressing the issues raised above especially improving upon communication gap between management and students, and top management and staff.

 

QUESTION 19

AS HEAD OF AN INSTITUTION HOW WILL YOU PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE OPENING OF A SCHOOL TERM?

Towards the opening of a school term the Head will have to take a look at the following:

1. Preparation of the budget for the term.

2. The time table to see if there is the need to make some changes.

3. Give approval to the menu for the term.

4. Preparation and submission of students’ bills to parents.

5. Early preparation and submission of students’ terminal reports to parents.

6. Available stores and what to add to the existing stock.

7. General performance during the previous term and the way forward.

8. Required maintenance at the dormitories, classrooms, dining hall and the kitchen.

9. Organization of a staff meeting to review performance during the previous term and the way forward.

10. Check bank balances to assess the financial stand of the school.

 

QUESTION 20

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR CHARGING ADDITIONAL FEES OR LEVIES IN 2ND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS OR WHAT SHOULD A HEAD DO BEFORE CHARGING ADDITIONAL FEES/LEVIES?

Before the Head of an institution can have the mandate to charge additional fees or levies,

1. There must first be a stakeholders (PTA) meeting to decide on the need for a particular project or service.

2. A budget should be prepared to estimate how much the project/activity will cost and how much each student would have to pay.

3. Approval to such decision should be given by the Board of Governors and a covering letter written to that effect.

4. Application with supporting budget, minutes of stakeholders’ meeting and the. school’s Board approval should be submitted to the Director – General through the District / Regional Director.

5. The Director – General would study the request and may give his approval or not.

The Head can charge the additional fees/levy only upon receipt of the Director – General’s approval in writing.

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING PARTS
GES Promotion Interview Questions & Answers (All Areas) PART 1
GES Promotion Interview Questions & Answers (All Areas) PART 2
GES Promotion Interview Questions & Answers (All Areas) PART 3
GES Promotion Interview Questions & Answers (All Areas) PART 4
GES Promotion Interview Questions & Answers (All Areas) PART 5