Teachers urged to upgrade skills and knowledge

Agona (Ash), March 15, GNA- Mr. William Frank Kwashie Amenyedzi, Lecturer and Head of the Inter-Disciplinary Studies at the Asante Mampong College of Agriculture, University of Education, Winneba, has stressed the need for teachers to upgrade themselves to prove equal to the task of giving quality education in the new education reforms. He said effective upgrading programmes, to large extent, provide the necessary teaching competencies that teachers required to perform their vital role as curriculum facilitators. Mr. Amenyedzi was addressing the opening session of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Third Quadrennial District Delegates Conference of Afigya-Sekyere District at Agona at the weekend. The Conference, which was attended by 100 Delegates, was under the theme; "Upgrading of Knowledge in Respect of the New Education Reforms, A Challenge to The Teacher".

He said in spite of frustrating situations, upgrading programmes help equip the teacher with adequate, broad and sound knowledge background to enable him or her to appreciate intellectual issues and boost morale and confidence as an educated person. Mr. Amenyedzi suggested that in-service Teacher training institutions be established at least in each teacher training College in the region for continuing further education of all teachers in the system. He said if this was done, these institutions would serve as the hub at which information on continuing and further training activities would be concentrated. Mr. Isaac Kwame Nsowah, The District GNAT Chairman and Headmaster of Adu Gyamfi Senior High School, expressed concern about teachers' apathy to the activities of the Association and said it was time they changed their mindsets and contribute meaningfully to the development of the Association.

Mr Abraham Bonus, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Association appealed to the teachers to work hard to improve educational standards in the district.

He said it was only when they achieved good results that people would understand their problems and support them in their quest for good conditions of service.

Mr. Atta Darko and Omane Agyekum, District Vice-Chairman and Secretary who presented the District Council Report announced that the Afigya-Sekyere District has been demarcated into Sekyere South with its capital at Agona and Afigya-Kwabre with its capital at Kodie. They advised members not only to upgrade their knowledge through Distance and Sandwich programmes but should also avail themselves of their terms and conditions of service booklet.