Publish Or Perish- Publication Over Emphasized At The Expense of Effective Teaching: The Case of Ghanaian Universities

Abstract

Almost all colleges and universities profess to be committed to effective teaching as evident in their brochures and catalogues. However, this representation is open to challenge from those who teach and those who learn in today’s colleges and universities simply because teaching accounts for second rate status by lecturers who feel that greater consideration is given to scholarly publications than to teaching in recruitment, promotion and tenure decisions by university authorities (Seldin, 1989:3) In Ghana, the general axiom is “publish or perish” and not “teach well or perish” why should teaching have second rate status? This paper attempts to inspire discussion relating to refreshing arguments the balance between teaching and research publication. It advances arguments for effective teaching, not to emphasize teaching above research publications, but to give effective teaching its proper status and to conceptualize what effective teaching ought to be in our universities. It will assist Vice Chancellors, deans and department heads how to provide the needed leadership to foster effective teaching in their outfits.