NAGRAT Strike Deeply Worrying" -Veep

Bolgatanga, Oct. 5, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Thursday appealed to the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to end their prolonged strike action and cooperate with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) to negotiate for better conditions of service.

"There is strength in numbers. Larger Associations may enhance the bargaining power" he observed and described the current industrial action in the educational sector as deeply worrying. Vice President Aliu Mahama made the appeal when he addressed the 12th Best Teachers Awards Ceremony in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region on the theme: "Quality Teachers for Quality Education; Uniting to Deliver Quality Education".

He said although Government recognized the right of free association of workers and other professionals in striving to eliminate distortions in Public Sector pay system, it was ideal to deal with them in the context of associations identified by profession, rather than groups within the same profession based on special qualifications. "This is because Government must be careful to avoid fragmentation that would compound the distortions. Moreover, nothing stops umbrella associations of specific professions from recognizing qualifications of some members and making provisions for that during bargaining", he stated.

Vice President Aliu reiterated plans by the Government to establish an independent Inspectorate Division within the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports to supervise the teaching and learning process as part of the Educational Reforms to be implemented in September 2007. He spoke against teachers, who refused postings to some parts of the country and those who absented themselves from duty.

"We need teachers, who would not just be doing a job but are passionate about teaching and nurturing young people. We need teachers who are willing to accept posting to the remotest parts of our country and work hard under very trying conditions", he said.

Vice President Aliu Mahama expressed the need for teachers who were dedicated, diligent and committed to be motivated and said that was the only way to ensure that children received the best education. Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of MOES, also expressed dissatisfaction about the strike action by NAGRAT.

He said under the Education Service Act of 1995, (Act 506) and the Labour Act, it was only GNAT and the Teachers and Education Workers Union that had the collective bargaining certificate to negotiate with the Ghana Education Service (GES).

"At present, the GES and GNAT are preparing to commence negations on the conditions of service of teachers. Notwithstanding this, the door remains open for NGRAT to avail itself of the opportunity provided under the Labour Act to join GNAT for negotiations under the Joint Standing Negotiation Committee arrangement.

He said the MOES could not negotiate terms of conditions of service with NAGRAT, as they had no Collective Bargaining Certificate. "I wish to emphasize that we are not happy that as parents we cannot solve our problems at homes. I wish to appeal to NGRAT that there must be mutual respect and collaboration in finding solution to the problem. I am, therefore, appealing to all teachers who have stayed out of classroom to go back and teach."

Mr Boniface Gambila, Regional Minister, said the Region was not well-endowed with natural resources, "and the only means of reducing poverty and subsequently creating wealth was to increase the tempo of educational delivery to all children desirous of education.

Mr Joseph Kwaku Adjei, President of GNAT, said most Governments were flouting the UNESCO and ILO Declaration of the Recommendation concerning the status of teachers adopted on October 5, 1966. He said the existing machinery for negations for teachers' conditions of services were ignored at will by governments and educational authorities.

"I wish to call on the Government and all other stakeholders of the education enterprise, policy makers, teachers and parents to study the document. This is the only way by which we can attempt to solve the numerous constraints that have tended to cripple the progress of teachers and school authorities."

Sir Naba Sigri Bewong, Sakoti Naba (Paramount Chief of Sakoti) and Vice President of the Regional House of Chiefs, who chaired the function said education was a shared responsibility and appealed to parents and teachers to get on board. He condemned parents, who attacked teachers for reprimanding their children.

Mrs Irene Adanusah, Secretary General of GNAT, presented school materials to a number of needy pupils. The Best Teacher Award went to Mr Eric Dwamena of Abetifi Secondary School who had 320 million cedi house as his prize, while the Second Best Teacher, Mr Faglu George Nego of St. Charles Secondary School, Tamale took home a car.

The Third runner up, Mr Samuel Gyawu of the Navrongo Secondary School also received a car as his prize. A number of teachers were presented with various items including refrigerators and television sets.

Earlier on before the programme, some school pupils and students danced to brass band music and bore placards some of which read, "Give the Teacher his legitimate due"; "For Quality Education Honour the Teacher"; "Be Fair to All"; "Honour the Teacher For His Great Work"; "We Are Tired of Vain Promises" and "The Teacher Provides Essential Services" in solidarity with their teachers' demands. 6 Oct. 06