Federick Ampong, popularly known as Sir Ampong, a technical teacher at Ahenema Kokoben D/A 1 JHS in the Ashanti Region, is calling for a major shift in Ghana’s basic education system, from theory-heavy lessons to hands-on, practical learning.
Sir Ampong has gained attention for teaching students construction skills through real-time house-building projects. He says this approach enhances understanding, creativity, and problem-solving in ways that traditional classroom methods cannot.
In an interview, he urged the government and education stakeholders to invest in practical skills training for teachers nationwide. He explained that while Ghana’s education system largely prioritises theory, many teachers lack the hands-on expertise needed to effectively deliver practical lessons. He therefore called on the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to organise regular workshops and capacity-building programmes to equip educators with foundational technical skills.
“Empowering teachers will allow them to replicate experiential learning models in their classrooms, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application,” Sir Ampong noted.
He also stressed that innovation shouldn’t wait for government action. “Teachers can begin practical teaching experiments with available resources, meaningful change starts at the classroom level,” he said.
Sir Ampong challenged the common perception that some students are “academically weak,” pointing out that such labels often overlook the diverse talents children possess. “Every student has a unique ability,” he explained. “While some excel in traditional academic subjects, others demonstrate exceptional skills in practical and creative fields.”
He called on teachers, parents, and stakeholders to focus on identifying and nurturing each child’s strengths rather than measuring success solely by examination performance.
Highlighting the link between education and national development, Sir Ampong argued that early exposure to practical learning is essential for reducing youth unemployment and promoting industrial growth. According to him, when educators are empowered to teach beyond theory, students are better prepared to face real-world challenges.
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