|
Communication Disorders create poor
academic performance - Prof Gadagbui
Winneba (C/R), Sept 28, Ghanadot/GNA - Professor Grace Yawo
Gadagbui, Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of
Education Winneba, has noted that communication disorders is
a "hidden" factor accounting for the poor performance of
pupils and students with language and reading difficulties.
She said this led to lack of
success in academic and social settings, and made children
growing up to become a liability in the society.
Prof Gadagbui was delivering the first ever "Inaugural
Lecture" organised by the University at the auditorium of
the South Campus at Winneba on the topic "Communication
Disorders and Performance in Leaning Environment".
She stated that there was public concern about poor school
performance and stressed that doubts had been expressed as
to whether teachers had the requisite competencies to
deliver.
Prof Gadagbui pointed out that failure, hitherto, had been
attributed to drunkenness, absenteeism, lateness, large
classes and syllabus incompletion, poor expression,
grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and lack of satisfying
the demands of examination questions.
She also noted that such casual factors as genetic
predisposition, structural abnormalities and human factors
in the environment of learning had a negative impact on
language and speech disorders.
Prof Gadagbui who is the Head of Special Education of the
University of Education, Winneba, stressed that
communication disorders did not only affect the individual's
success in school but also influenced social life, career
choice and emotional wellbeing.
She was optimistic that language and speech performance
could improve when the disabilities were identified early
through community screening of children.
The Head of Special Education said the policy of English
language as a medium of instruction should be made flexible
and good speech models with constant language interactions
with children practised in the early years.
She suggested the use of appropriate methodology in teaching
speech and language in schools, particularly by teachers in
preschool and lower primary to enhance the academic
performance of pupils and students.
Prof Gadagbui cautioned parents not to force their children
to learn foreign language but to encourage them to use local
language to avoid poor academic performance.
Professor Jophus Anamuah Mensah, Vice Chancellor of the
University, said the lecture should not be a dream to
teachers.
They should endeavour to go to the field for the benefit of
children.
He assured the students and authorities of the University
that the Inaugural Lecture would not be a nine-day wonder
but made a permanent feature of the institution.
Present were Professor Asabere Ameyaw, Pro-Vice Chancellor
and Vice Chancellor-elect of the University and other
Professors.
GNA
|
