Introduction
The Ghana Education Service (GES) used to have ten (10) divisions under it at its headquarters with their heads.
However, new changes in the organizational structure reduced the ten (10) divisions to only five (5). These divisions are grouped into two under the two deputy Director-Generals of GES as heads.
A. The first group of the divisions consist of:
I. Human Resource Management Division.
II. General Administration Division.
III. Finance Division.
The divisions above have their activities or duties they carry out for the effective running of the service. Now, let’s look at the roles of the above stated divisions.
I. Human Resource Management Division
1. This division is responsible for recruitment and distribution of teachers employed by the Ghana Education Service.
2. The HRM Division is also responsible for staff development and rationalisation.
3. Promotion of GES staff both teaching and non-teaching.
4. Posting of teachers returning from study leave with pay.
5. Inter-Regional reposting of staff.
6. Upgrading, Salary Adjustment, Change of name, Conversion of Ghana Education Service Staff.
II. General Administration Division
This division of the Ghana Education Service is responsible for the day to day management of the entire organization.
This division is also responsible for making and keeping the records of Ghana Education Service.
III. Finance Division
1. The finance division of the Ghana Education Service responsible for in-flow and out-flow of fund.
2. It advises management on all financial matters relating to the service.
3. It also collates estimates from the various Regions/Districts and other Divisions for the preparation of the annual budget estimates.
4. It allocates funds to cost centers for preparation of budget.
5. It facilitates meeting with Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to defend the GES Budget for approval.
6. It prepares cash plans and monitors the release and disbursement of funds.
7. Supports implementation of donor funded projects.
8. Monitors, evaluates and reports on budget performance.
9. Assists management to control expenditure within the approved budget.
10. Ensures adequate stock of Value books are kept for the office and keeps register for the value books in safe custody.
Head of the Group A Divisions
The head of General Administration, Finance, and Human Resource Management Divisions is Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu, the Deputy A.g. Director-General of Ghana Education Service.
Brief About Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu
Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu Deputy A.g Director-General(MS). He was previously the Regional Director for Western-North region where he executed his responsibilities diligently.
He is a native of Wiamaose in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Owusu is happily married to Mrs. Evelyn Owusu with three beautiful children.
He is a proud old student of Okomfo Anokyi Secondary School and Prempeh college where he attained his O’level and A’ level certificates respectively.
He is also a graduate of University of Education, Winneba where he was awarded Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Secretarial, Management and English Language).
He also has a Master’s Degree in Education (Administration in Higher Institutions).
B. The second group of the divisions consists of:
I. Schools and Instructions Division
II. Special Education Division (SPED)
The group B divisions also have their respective roles and these are further stated below.
I. Schools and Instructions Division
The schools and instructions division is responsible for the following:
1. It liaise with the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in the administration, conduct and monitoring of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
2. Supervision of placement of BECE graduate into the Second Cycle Institutions and analysis of the BECE and the WASSCE results nationwide.
3. Support the implementation of key interventions for increasing access, equity and improving quality. Demand accountability at the district and school level.
4. Monitoring and supervision of teaching and learning in Basic and Second Cycle Schools.
5. Ensure adequate and timely supply and distribution of essential teaching and learning materials to schools.
6. The division is in charge of the implementations of policy guidelines for all Basic Schools and Second Cycle Institutions in collaboration with relevant authorities and key stakeholders.
II. Special Education Division (SPED)
The Special Education Division under the Ghana Education Service plays the following roles:
a. Screening and Assessment of children for early identification, correct placement in schools and other interventional measures.
b. To facilitate effective administration of Special Schools.
c. Supervision and monitoring of special schools and units.
d. Provision of educational facilities and services for children and young people with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs.
e. Provision of appropriate Teaching and Learning Materials and Assistive Devices for learners at the pre-tertiary level.
f. To transcribe textbooks and other reading materials into Braille.
g. Capacity building of Special Teachers across the sector at the pre-tertiary level.
h. Ensure and facilitate the timely release of feeding grants to special schools.
Head of Group B Divisions
The head of Schools and Instructions Division and Special Education Division (SPED) is Dr. Kwabena B. Tando, the Deputy Director-General.
Brief About Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh
Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh (KB Tandoh) is the Deputy Director-General for Quality and Access of the Ghana Education Service.
Prior to being appointed to the GES, he was a consultant with the World Bank serving as the Instructional Coordinator on the Secondary Education Improvement Project (SEIP).
His experience in education spans more than two decades with national and international experience. He served as the Executive Director for Schools for AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Schools in Obuasi.
While serving with AGA Dr. Tandoh established the Williams and Brew School as a Cambridge Accredited school.
He has worked as Principal for Risingsun Montessori Schools, Lead Consultant and Executive Director of Goodwin College Ghana, an American College in East Hartford, Connecticut.
He served as the Vice Principal for Academic and Student Affairs for CTC International Schools in Lagos, Nigeria.
In conclusion, the five (5) divisions do not have five separate heads. Rather, the divisions are grouped into two, with the two Deputy Director-Generals of Ghana Education Service (GES) being the heads.
Source: bbcpulse.com