Former Headmaster of Kumasi High School and educationist, Mr Benard Hall-Baidoo, has raised concerns over the failure to follow what he describes as the proper professional process for appointing headmasters in the Ashanti Region.
Mr Hall-Baidoo said a credible appointment process should begin with consideration of a candidate’s years of service, professional qualifications and experience before the person is considered for leadership of a school.
He explained that candidates should have attained the rank of deputy director and gained sufficient experience at that level, arguing that professional maturity is important before a person is entrusted with headmastership.
According to him on Kumasi-based OTEC FM, the process should also include a confidential report from the candidate’s previous headmaster or supervisor to provide an assessment of the individual’s professional conduct and character.
He said such reports should remain confidential to ensure that the assessment is honest and not influenced by personal relationships.
Hall-Baidoo further explained that candidates should go through a panel interview involving directors and deputy directors from different regions, a system he said helps reduce favouritism and gives the selection process greater credibility.
He, however, alleged that this competitive selection process has not been properly followed in the region since 2016.
“In the Ashanti Region, since 2016, when they did selection interviews for headmastership, there has not been any competitive selection process in the region since then,” he stated.
