Ministry will not undermine moral, character training - Essuman

Senya Bereku (C/R), Nov 22, GNA - The Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, Mr Ato Essuman, has assured Ghanaians that the Ministry will not undermine moral and character training of the youth.

Reacting to a Pastoral Letter issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference on the alleged exclusion of Religious and Moral Education (RME) from the new Curriculum at the inauguration of a refurbished community at Senya Bereku on Wednesday, Mr Essuman said RME had not been removed.

Mr Essuman who is also a Member of the Council of State and the immediate past Lay President of the Methodist Church of Ghana explained that the Anamuah-Mensah's Committee on the Education Reform complained about "overloading" the former curriculum and recommended a reduction of subjects.

He said that compelled the Ministry to integrate some subjects including RME, which was added to Social Studies. The Chief Director however stated that it was wrong for the Bishops to create the impression that character formation was the responsibility of only schools.

"Character formation is a responsibility of Parents, Priests, District Assemblies as well as the entire society, he stated and added that is why all and sundry must lead lives worthy of emulation, all must be seen as role models".

The Council of State Member noted with concern that even though there were extensive consultations and representations from interest groups including faith-groups, civil societies, and teachers unions before the Government White Paper on the report was issued none of them protested.

"To come out now to accuse the Ministry for taking unilateral decision to exclude RME from the curriculum is most unfortunate", he stated.

Mr Essuman expressed regrets about some utterances of the Bishops on the appointment of heads of their schools, which suggested that they were inciting teachers of their Units against authority, which amounted to encouraging indiscipline and disrespect for authority, which Priests had been preaching against.