USING SCHOOL BASED IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO ENHANCE TEACHER COMPETENCE IN TEACHING HANDWRITING IN ISHADIA E/A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE KARAGA DISTRICT.

Abstract

This study is an action research aimed at improving teachers’ competency in teaching handwriting in Ishadia E/A Primary School through in-service training in the Karaga district. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select twelve (12) teachers whose lessons were observed during the pre- intervention and post- intervention phases of the study. Also a series of in-depth interviews were conducted with the teachers of the Ishadia E/A Primary School. A situational analysis of the problem; an intervention in a form of in-service training was conducted to address the problem. Finding revealed that inadequate teaching and learning materials for the teaching of handwriting, inadequate activities, poor teaching skills, broadness of English language as a subject, large class size, inadequate English language period were the factors hindering the teaching of handwriting. The study concluded that appropriate and customised school based in service for classroom teachers can improve their competencies and skills in teaching handwriting. The researcher recommend among others that stake holders of education in the district should endeavor to provide appropriate teaching materials for handwriting, school based in-service training should be intensified by Ghana education service, the leadership of the school with the help of district education office should increase time allocation to the teaching of English language.