Corporal punishment in schools still in force - Education Director

Nkoranza (B/A), Jan. 30, GNA - Ban on corporal punishment in schools is still in force, Mr Kwabena Agyemang-Badu, Nkoranza District Director of Education has warned. "Teachers who continue to use the cane on children do so at their own risk, he said. Addressing about 72 teachers posted to the district at an orientation workshop in Nkoranza, Mr Agyemang-Badu urged teachers to show compassion and handle the children with proper care. The workshop was organised by the district directorate of education with the aim of equipping new teachers with requisite skills for effective teaching and learning.

Mr Agyemang-Badu asked the teachers to actively get involved in extra curriculum activities such as sports and support church and community development programmes. He asked them to aim high and pursue further courses to improve their knowledge and living conditions. Mr Paul Baffoe-Ansah, District Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers advised teachers to be of good behaviour and live above reproach to command respect in their communities. He expressed regret at high the immoral behaviour of some teachers, which he said cast a slur on the image of the profession. Mr Baffoe-Ansah stressed the need for teachers to attach great importance to their work by preparing their lesson notes on time as well as being punctual to school.

Mr Yaw Ntim-Korsah, District Assistant Director in-charge of Human Resource Management and Development, urged the newly trained teachers to be respectful and to live in harmony with their senior colleagues. He called on head teachers to support and encourage their subordinates to perform to expectation. Messrs Baba Seidu and Seth Adjei-Mensah of Techiman branch office of Social Security and National Insurance Trust, took the teachers through the importance and benefits of the Trust and advised those, who had not registered, to do so.