Teachers abandon classes for spiritual prayers

Nyinahin (Ash), Feb 26, GNA - Some teachers at Nyinahin in the Atwima district of Ashanti are reported to have virtually declared Fridays for the pupils as they abandon classes to attend spiritual praying sessions.

The situation has therefore become a source of worry to the inhabitants, as the behaviour of the teachers was not only affecting the education of children but also increasing the school drop out rate in the area.


Mr George Tano-Mensah, chairman of the Nyinahin School Management Committee (SMC) and Mr C.K. Asante, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman, brought this allegation to the fore at a forum organised by the Quality Improvement in Primary Schools (QUIPS) under the Community School Alliance (CSA) project.


The forum was to evaluate the School Performance Improvement Plan (SPIP) of the Salem Primary School at Nyinahin on Wednesday. About three years ago, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its QUIPS/CSA project built a three-classroom block for the Nyinahin community to improve teaching and learning in the area.


The SMC and PTA chairmen said the conduct of the teachers was not only unprofessional but an affront to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and called on the Atwima district directorate of education to discipline the teachers involved.


Mr Tano-Mensah said the Nyinahin Salem Junior Secondary School block had become a death trap, which needed urgent rehabilitation to save the teachers and pupils from a disaster.

"Erosion had destroyed the school playing grounds thereby making it impossible for sporting and other recreational activities to take place", he added.


Mr Asante said the PTA had extended electricity to the basic school to promote the pupils evening studies so as to discourage them from patronising video shows and other social activities.


Nana Atta Agyemang, Adotenhene of Nyinahin commended the QUIPS/CSA project which, he noted had improved quality education in the schools and appealed to USAID to extend the programme to other schools especially the most deprived communities.


When the Atwima district education directorate was contacted on the teachers conduct, Mr Richard Owusu-Agyemang, the public relations officer said the problem had been dealt with.


He, however, warned that the directorate would deal severely with any recalcitrant teacher.