Teachers in deprived areas to be rewarded.

Sekondi, Aug 21, GNA- Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, on Thursday said the government is putting in place incentive packages for teachers who accept to work in deprived areas. She was opening a three-day conference and workshop of the Education Tutors Association of Ghana (ETAG) at Sekondi.

The theme for conference is: "Developments in Teacher Education in Ghana - The role of the Education Tutor".

Madam Horner-Sam said when quality education is made accessible to rural communities the implementation of the government's poverty reduction programme would be facilitated.

She appealed to teachers to respond favourably to the new incentives of the government and accept postings to deprived communities. Madam Horner-Sam said the government is making efforts to strengthen the country's education system to make it relevant to the needs of industry and the demands of the global economy.

She said the government is putting measures in place to upgrade training colleges in order to achieve academic excellence and enable teachers to meet emerging challenges in their profession.

Madam Horner-Sam said the government would continue to attach special importance to the provision of quality education in Teacher Training Colleges.

Mr Michael Nsowah, Deputy Director at the Teachers' Education Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES) said there is shortage of teachers particularly at basic schools due to high rate of teachers leaving for further studies.

He said this is one of the challenges hampering the government's efforts to provide teachers for schools.

Mr Nsowah said the three-year Post-secondary Teacher Training Course that awards certificates does not attract good material to Teacher Training Colleges.

He said the GES has drawn up outlines for diploma courses at teacher training colleges that would start next academic year. Mr Robert Amoah-Awuah, National President of ETAG, said education has not received due recognition as a discipline.

He said this accounts for falling standards of education because teacher education is a stepping-stone to the provision of quality education.

Mr Amoah-Awuah said lack of sponsorship for training workshops for tutors of teacher training colleges is another cause of poor performance of teachers. He, therefore, called on the government and stakeholders to put in place pragmatic measures to address the problems.