THE Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to shift the re-opening date of the 2007/2007 basic schools academic year from September 11 to 18.
That, the association explained will allow the sandwich Diploma programme for certificate “A” teachers to end for the teachers to fully participate in the “First Day at School Programme”.
A statement signed by General Secretary, Irene Duncan-Adunusa, said the instruction by the GES that all teachers are to be present in their schools on September 11 for the “First Day at School” would cause them a lot of inconveniences.”
It said that GNAT has chanced on a letter, signed by the Director-General of GES, instructing Principals of Teacher Training Colleges, Regional and District Directors of Education to post pone the first semester examinations from September 10 to 14, to September 17 to 21, to enable them to participate in the programme..
“This means that the teachers numbering about 10,000 who have traveled across the length and breadth of the country will have to travel back for the ‘First Day at School’ celebration and re-assemble at their respective cent res on September 15, for the semester examination to commence on September 17.”
However, it said, the order by the GES would be difficult for the teachers to comply with since it would cause inconvenience.
The statement said although the GNAT wrote to GES on August 31, about the issue, it had not received any response yet .
It said that the educational system would be serviced better if teachers complete the semester programme before returning to their post.
