Tewu Wants Education Director Out

THE DABOASE District Council of Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) has called on the Minister of Education and the Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take immediate steps to either relieve the District Director of Education, Ms. Bedford of her post or send her to the Regional Education Office (REO) in Sekondi to give way to what they described as competent authority to enhance the falling standard of education in the area.

We are fed up with her poor human relations, disrespect for higher authority, bullying tactics and threats of intimidation at the least opportunity which has resulted in the total breakdown of discipline, they stated.

In a resolution adopted at the end of their meeting at Daboase in the Wassa East district of the Western Region, last Friday, and signed by Messrs S. K. Kiemuoh, Robert Obo, Lazarus Mminyel and Georgina Katta, the TEWU members said they are prepared to go on transfer from the district if the authorities should decide otherwise since as they put it "we can no longer work under the administration of this woman."

According to the TEWU members, they are calling for the removal of Ms Bedford because they are concerned about the abuse of office which prevents her from working in close collaboration with her deputy almost bringing activities of the administration to a halt since she locks and takes away the keys to her office whenever she travels thus locking away files, vital documents and other materials kept in her office.

TEWU also accused the district director of persistently violating provisions of their collective bargaining agreement, which has resulted in the issue of unwarranted suspension letters, freezing of salaries, and uncalled for summons to appear before District Disciplinary Committees for no offence committed.

"We are also concerned about the unprofessional manner in which the affairs of the organization is handled, including indiscriminate dissipation of funds of the district without consultation with the technical adviser and her able front-line assistant director and the procurement of items by herself," the resolution said.

They warned that should the sector minister and the director general of GES fail to react to their call by the middle of March, 2002, the appropriate line of action to seek redress would be adopted.