Accord teachers the respect and dignity they deserve -GNAT chairman

Adankwame (Ash), July 11, GNA - A three-day workshop on the proper use of the harmonised materials in the teaching of mathematics, English, science and environmental studies ended at Adankwame last Friday with a call on the society to accord teachers the respect and dignity they deserve.

Mr F.C.K. Ntim-Gyakari, the Atwima-Nwabiagya District Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), who made the call, regretted that teachers have always been at the receiving end of societal injustices and the situation is greatly affecting their performance.

Two hundred and twenty-eight lower primary school teachers attended the non-residential workshop, organised by the district education directorate.

It formed part of the directorate's intensive training programmes to develop the professional skills and competence of the teachers to improve performance.

Mr Ntim-Gyakari, who is also the Nkawie Circuit Supervisor, noted that the provision of quality education could fully be achieved and sustained if the service conditions of teachers were realistically improved.

Teachers, he said, are vital component for the nation's meaningful development and must therefore, be accorded the utmost recognition and support.

Mr Ntim-Gyakari attributed the inadequate qualified and professional teachers in the system to unattractive service conditions resulting in a large number of them leaving the service to take up appointments in more lucrative departments, institutions and other agencies.

The problem, he said, if not urgently rectified, would totally collapse the education delivery system and impact negatively on the nation's socio-economic development.

Mr Ohene Ansah Kwaku Apau, the District Training Officer, noted that enhancing quality education in the country would be a mirage if teachers were not adequately motivated.

He, however, advised teachers to continue to sacrifice and perform creditably to reverse the fallen standard of education in the country. Mr Apau announced that the directorate has planned several training programmes for all categories of teachers to improve upon their professional and academic skills and also create educational awareness on enrolment and retention and encourage the communities to actively participate in the development of education in the district.