TalkPoint with Emmanuel Asase

TalkPoint with Emmanuel Asase TalkPoint is a platform for conversations on education, student life, teacher experiences, and real-life lessons. The page is hosted by Emmanuel K. Asase.

2026 GES Regional and District Transfers Open
03/06/2026

2026 GES Regional and District Transfers Open

Technical Programmes in SHTSs: A Regrettable Trap for Many Students?Over the past few years, technical education has bee...
22/05/2026

Technical Programmes in SHTSs: A Regrettable Trap for Many Students?

Over the past few years, technical education has been heavily promoted to learners, parents, and other key stakeholders in the education sector. Many have embraced it wholeheartedly, and as a result, there has been a surge in the number of students pursuing technical programmes such as Woodwork, Building Technology, Applied Electricity, and Auto Mechanics.

Students admitted to these programmes often begin with excitement and hope, expecting to acquire practical, high-demand skills within their three years of study.

However, as time goes on and reality unfolds, that excitement gradually fades into disappointment, doubt, and frustration for many.

Some students who struggle to cope eventually abandon the programme. Others vent their frustrations through negative behaviours, while a few adapt and manage to push through.

So, what is causing the frustration?

Orientation. Orientation. Orientation.

Many students enter these programmes poorly informed. To them, technical education means mostly practical, hands-on training with little or no intense classroom theory.

But they are suddenly introduced to subjects like Additional Mathematics and Physics, which become overwhelming for some of them.

Moreover, subjects they expected to be practical are often taught in a highly theoretical and abstract manner.

To be fair, many of these learners genuinely have a strong passion for technical skills acquisition. Some already possess impressive practical abilities in their areas of interest.

Should a few subjects perceived to be difficult destroy the dreams of learners who are otherwise talented with their hands?

Can the Ghana Education Service design a parallel pathway to run alongside the current technically-oriented but heavily academic programmes, taking into consideration students who are more interested in hands-on practical skill development rather than purely classroom-based learning?

The conversation is worth having.


The Death of Agricultural Education in High Schools – What Could Be the Cause?Back in the day, we were taught that a lar...
22/05/2026

The Death of Agricultural Education in High Schools – What Could Be the Cause?

Back in the day, we were taught that a large percentage of the labour force in our beloved country, Ghana, was employed in the agricultural sector. This was not surprising because we are blessed with vast arable land, long hours of sunshine, and a fairly reliable rainfall pattern. At the time, farming was also very strenuous, as most activities were done manually with basic tools such as hoes, cutlasses, and pickaxes.

In school, from the primary level, pupils were introduced to agriculture. At the BECE level, there was even a subject dedicated to it: Agricultural Science.

From basic school, children were exposed to crop and animal science, and those who developed an interest could continue studying the subject in senior high school and later at the university level.

Back then, Agricultural Science classrooms in senior high schools were filled with a good number of students pursuing the programme.

Today, however, the situation seems to have changed. In many high schools, Agric classrooms are nearly empty. In some schools with a population of about 1,700 students, it is difficult to find even 80 learners offering the programme.

A country that is truly determined to achieve food sufficiency and support its industries should inspire young people to develop interest in crop and animal-related studies.

Interestingly, we are now in an era driven by technology, where farming has become more science-based and mechanized, making it less stressful than before. One would have expected young people, especially in developing countries like Ghana, to embrace Agricultural Science even more.

So, what is slowly killing Agricultural Education in our high schools?

Should Mobile Phones Remain Banned in Senior High Schools?Mobile phones have become the go-to device for accessing infor...
20/05/2026

Should Mobile Phones Remain Banned in Senior High Schools?

Mobile phones have become the go-to device for accessing information.

They are so enticing that even newborn babies are attracted to them.

Mobile phones are becoming increasingly powerful. Beyond calls and chats, students use them to access study materials, prepare documents, complete assignments, work on projects, create presentations, and conduct research, just to mention a few.

There is no doubt that mobile phones have contributed greatly to the academic success of many students.

However, this powerful device can also be addictive and distracting, especially for young learners.

Social media buzz, constant notifications, sports betting, and pornographic content can cause learners to lose focus, which may negatively affect their academic performance if left unchecked.

Currently, apart from the tablets provided to some students, mobile phones remain banned in many senior high schools. However, the reality is that most learners already own and use mobile phones, a situation that is knocking teachers’ heads together.

There is a school of thought that believes we are in the information age; therefore, high school learners should be allowed to use mobile phones to enhance their academic work.

Another school of thought argues that learners should not be allowed to use mobile phones because they can easily lose focus and become involved in social vices.

What is your position?

Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in senior high school? Why?

The Cold Silence of Teachers — The Slow Poison Gradually Killing the Future“My job is to teach.”“My dear, just enter the...
19/05/2026

The Cold Silence of Teachers — The Slow Poison Gradually Killing the Future

“My job is to teach.”
“My dear, just enter the class, teach, and walk out.”
“Me, if I see them misbehaving, I’ll just pass by.”

These and many similar comments have become common choruses among some teachers in recent times.

How did we get here? I wish I had all the answers. But this I know: we are here.

Many teachers are becoming increasingly disinterested in the character formation of learners.

Gone are the days when the mere presence of a teacher was enough to stop a student from engaging in unacceptable behaviour.

Today, a student may be jumping over a school wall, see a teacher, shout “Sir! Sir!”, and still continue.
Some sit in compromised positions with the opposite s*x, see a teacher, and simply adjust themselves.
Some fight openly and remain careless even in the presence of authority.

Are these behaviours new? Not at all.
Students are human; young, energetic, and curious. Jumping walls, fighting, sneaking to town, and other unacceptable acts have always existed.

So what is new?

The impunity with which these acts are carried out.

The posture and silence of some teachers.

The scale and boldness of the behaviour.

Teachers are meant to complement parents in moulding the character of learners. Students spend most of their daytime in school. It is therefore not unreasonable to expect some level of accountability from those who spend so much time with them.

Something is clearly wrong, and it needs fixing.

The future is being chipped away gradually.
If we do nothing, we may wake up one day and realise there is little future left to protect.

The earlier key stakeholders engage in open, frank, and sometimes uncomfortable but necessary conversations, the better.

Solutions must be sought. Plans must be implemented, monitored, and evaluated.

Silence is not neutral.

Silence is costly.


Many students are not dumb.They understand the subject.They have potential.They are capable.But discipline is what turns...
19/05/2026

Many students are not dumb.

They understand the subject.
They have potential.
They are capable.

But discipline is what turns potential into results.

To be honest, which of these five is the biggest problem among students today?

👇 Drop your thoughts.

The Most Tired Professionals Nobody Talks AboutTo many people, teaching is one of the easiest professions.To others, any...
18/05/2026

The Most Tired Professionals Nobody Talks About

To many people, teaching is one of the easiest professions.
To others, anybody can teach.

Are they wrong? No. In a way, they are right. Everyone teaches something.

But teaching something does not make one a professional teacher.

A well-trained teacher is a bit of everything; a planner, a nurse, a caregiver, a researcher, a counsellor, a career coach, a motivator, a comedian, a creator, an innovator, a magician, a mother, a father… just add to the list.

“What do teachers do? They just go to class, teach, and go home. They are a bunch of lazy people.”

Really? You don’t mean that.

Teaching goes far beyond classroom instruction.

Before that one-hour lesson, the teacher plans the lesson, prepares teaching and learning resources, tests the materials, and models the lesson to anticipate possible challenges.

In the classroom, the teacher faces learners from different homes, cultures, religious backgrounds, social classes, and with varied learning abilities. It is the duty of the teacher to meet the needs of all these learners.

My dear, classroom management is no joke.

Think about the stress you go through at home with just two or three children. Now imagine what a teacher goes through with 30, 40, 70, or even 100 learners packed into one space, classrooms that are often unconducive, with poor ventilation, bad lighting, inadequate seating, and limited space, just to mention a few.

After instruction, the teacher collects exercises, marks scripts, grades, and records scores. It doesn’t end there. The teacher reflects on the lesson, gives feedback, and sometimes delivers remedial lessons where necessary.

A teacher may spend two extra hours just to deliver a one-hour lesson.

Beyond the typical classroom stress, the teacher becomes a parent figure, sometimes providing for needy and vulnerable learners: food, uniforms, footwear, books, pens, pencils, and more.

“Sir, Kofi took my pencil.”
“Ama beat me.”
“Akosua ate my biscuit.”

All these reports end up on the teacher’s desk for redress.

Teachers maintain discipline, mould character, inculcate values, and promote culture.

And in all of this, they still have personal lives to live, families to care for, and responsibilities to fulfil.

The teaching profession is demanding and exhausting. It requires enormous love, patience, and high emotional intelligence.

If you ever think the profession is a last resort, you may need to rethink.

18/05/2026

The most successful lessons begin with a plan.

Planning involves determining the topic to teach, the duration of the lesson, the content to cover, the methods and techniques to use, the teaching and learning resources required, the modes of assessment, and the anticipated challenges.

Thorough planning and preparation enhance confidence, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Plan + Model + Execute = Success.

Have a productive day!

Good grades don’t guarantee success.Yes, they open doors.Yes, they create opportunities.But they don’t guarantee wisdom....
15/05/2026

Good grades don’t guarantee success.

Yes, they open doors.
Yes, they create opportunities.
But they don’t guarantee wisdom.
They don’t guarantee discipline.
They don’t guarantee character.

Some of the most disciplined, consistent and emotionally intelligent people were not always the best in class.

Education is important.
But attitude, resilience, and values matter just as much.

What matters more than grades?



14/05/2026

Character or Certificates?

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