NaSIA Training for Private Schools in Accra
The National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) held its much-anticipated training of private school leaders and proprietors today. The training was provided to educate school administrators and owners about the licencing procedure as well as the new school-led licensing system, which ensures that applications are processed, and licences are issued the same day they are submitted.
Ms. Cynthia Botchway, the Director, Standards and Licencing (Ag.), NaSIA, explained that the training workshop for the private school proprietors is part of the implementation process of a new School Licensing and Inspections Management System (SLIMS), which will ensure efficiency in school licencing and inspections. She explained that the piloting of the system began in 2022, and it is expected to continue with the schools in the Ayawaso West Districts, who will be assisted to license the system. The piloting of the system, which is expected to end in the first academic term of 2023, will take place concurrently with the nationwide training of schools.
The attendees were given a hands-on introduction to licensing using the Schools Licencing and Inspections Management System (SLIMS) by Mr. Ishmael Odoi, Head of IT, NaSiA. He also advised them to contact the NaSIA help desk anytime they encounter challenges using the new system.
Schools were given an opportunity to ask questions on the new system and general licencing issues and responses were given to them. Ms. Cynthia urged the schools to feel free to reach them with any concerns and informed them that NaSIA is there to help them and also ensure the improvement of standards in education. She reiterated the need for schools to avail themselves to inspections and register their schools which is done through licensing at NaSIA as required by Act 1023 of 2020.
The meeting ended with many attendees lauding the initiative and requesting that more such trainings and engagement with private schools take place. Additionally, the private schools requested that NaSIA help them resolve issues with parents failing to pay outstanding bills before withdrawing their children from their schools.