Make Teachers' day statutory holiday - Dormaa district GNAT

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), May 9, GNA - The Dormaa District Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has held its second quadrennial conference at Dormaa-Ahenkro with a call on the government to declare teachers' day a statutory public holiday. The one-day conference, which brought together GNAT leaders from all seven locals of the district, was under the theme: "Quality Education - The Role of the Teacher"

In a 10-point resolution, the conference held that teachers deserve a statutory public holiday in view of their huge contribution to Ghana's intellectual capacity and the entire national development process. The resolution also appealed to the government to issue a white paper on the Presidential Commission set up in the wake of teacher's agitation for the restoration of 'CAP 30' to replace the existing pension scheme.

It called on the government to consider bearing 60 percent of the cost involved in the teachers' acquisition of distance education and the provision of regular in-service training for all teachers. The resolution further called for decent remuneration and enhanced allowances commensurate to teachers' output and suggested the award of scholarships for, at least, two teachers' wards at the basic education level "as a morale booster".

While appreciating the idea behind the teachers' award, the conference urged government to put in more resources to make it more attractive.

The Headmaster of Dormaa Secondary School Mr. Alex Baah-Bofah, mentioned human resource development and motivation as two important needs for the uplifting of teachers.

The headmaster deplored the high cost involved in the pursuance of Distance Education and sandwich courses in the country and urged institutions providing these facilities to make them more affordable to the ordinary Ghanaian.

The Conference elected Mr. Ansu Gyeabour of the Dormaa District Education Office as chairman and Mr. Odamey Lartey, Headmaster of Wamanafo Secondary/Technical Institute as his deputy to run the affairs of the association for the next four years.