PTAs ask NAGRAT to retract statement on "wrong teaching"

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - Chairpersons of the Greater Accra Branch of the Coalition of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) on Wednesday appealed to the leadership of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to retract a statement by some members that they would teach the students the wrong things if they were forced back to the classrooms. In a statement signed and issued in Accra by the Acting Chairman, Mr Alexander Danso, the Coalition has asked NAGRAT to assure parents that "they will teach the right things in line with the ethics of their profession".

It said it was regrettable that the statement made by an official of NAGRAT before a court ruling that asked them to return to the classroom had been affirmed by the leadership. The statement expressed grave concern about the statement and described it as "unfortunate" considering the trust and confidence parents had in them and also the good working relationship parents had with teachers.

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) on Wednesday communicated the ruling of the Accra Fast Track High Court that declared their strike illegal and therefore ordered them to return to the classroom.

A terse statement signed by Mr Marjore Affenyi, Publicity and Organising Secretary of NAGRAT, said:

"The Accra High Court (Fast Track Division) has ruled that the strike action by teachers is illegal and should be called off. The court by its ruling has ordered all NAGRAT members to return to the classroom. We are by this release communicating the ruling of the court to members."

Mr Kwami Alorvi, President of NAGRAT, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that they were obeying the court. "We are obeying the ruling of the court," he said. "We have filed an appeal against the ruling, but the date has not been fixed as yet. That is why we are taking this action."

Farmer jailed eight years for defilement

Nkawie (Ash), Nov 8, GNA - The Nkawie Circuit Court presided has sentenced a 22-year-old farmer, Kwasi Tawiah, to eight years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a 13-year-old girl at Nyameadom in the Ahafo-Ano South District.

Tawiah pleaded guilty to the charge but asked for leniency. Police Inspector Abraham Adjei-Mensah told the court that Tawiah and one Ben, now at large were farm labourers at Nyameadom. He said on April 12 Tawiah invited the girl and asked her to buy him some sticks of cigarette after which he lured her into his room and defiled her until the next day.

The victim narrated her ordeal to her mother and a report was made to the police who arrested Tawiah.