Hot!
Review Career Day to capture adolescents – Clinical Psychologist
• Dr Isaac Newman Arthur
Career Day has become one of the prominent events in schools in recent times and takes place even in nursery schools.
A Clinical Psychologist Dr. Isaac Newman Arthur has, however, advised educational institutions to review the age targeted for “Career day” celebrations in schools.
The was originally aimed at creating an opportunity for students to be exposed to careers available to them both locally and internationally on the job market to among others develop their interests.
Dr. Arthur in an interview with The Spectator recently opined that, though the intentions for career day may be good, educational institutions should reconsider it and make the needed changes.
He said this was to ensure that the children derived the full benefit of it, and also saved cost.
Currently, checks at various stores and dress making shops by this reporter revealed that it costs some parents and guardians between GH¢200 and GH¢500 or even more to get the various attires for their children and wards.
Dr. Arthur said the practice currently was losing its relevance to the children as he mentioned that ideally, it should involve adolescents because “they are at the stage of cognitive development where they could understand and meaningfully discuss issues of their own lives and future goals or careers.
He said the adolescence stage was characterised by the development of their own world views, identity and independence and were able to think both logically and scientifically, and beable to discuss issues with some degree of understanding.
“They are likely to benefit more from the Career Day than the small children” he said.
The Clinical Psychologist who is also a Medical Doctor said when Career Day was held for children in lower primary and even kindergarten, apart from the fun it created, the children at that stage may not be able to derive any other benefits from the event.
“ It could be organised for that purpose, but not an opportunity for the children to learn or make career choices at that stage. If the goal of Career day is to help them take decisions about the career, then it would not be beneficial at that stage in their lives” he said.
Dr. Arthur suggested that aside wearing the attires of the various professions, counsellors could be invited to help guide both parents and adolescents on the right career path.
He was of the opinion that pupils who were in the Junior High Schools would be a more effective target because they were on their way to the Senior High Schools where they would need to be assisted on the courses to take at that level of education.
He explained that, at that age, they were most likely to understand the practice and actively participate to derive the full benefit of the purpose of that occasion.
The Clinical Psychologist said children below that age would only see it as fun thereby defeating the purpose of the exercise.
Parents could be saved the costs of organising such programmes.
In an interview with The Spectator, an Accountant, Mr. Patrick Amoah Sarfo said he had been to some schools to talk to some of the children during the event which he believed had made some of them well informed about his profession and that of other community workers who came.
He observed that, the ages of the children had to be seriously considered because some of them especially those in the nursery schools and even in some cases the lower primary did not appreciate the day as compared with those in the upper primary and junior high schools.
He suggested that schools should not make it compulsory for all students to dress in their future career attires because it put a lot of financial burden on parents and could even make some children develop inferiority complex if they were unable to dress as such.
Another parent, a Fashion Designer, Ms Clementine Xorlali Tettey said apart from the excitement it brought to the children, she thought its current form did not make it important.
“ However if modified it will serve a good purpose” she said.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
