Gov’t urged to set strategic agenda for schools

A former Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Tongu, Mr. Joe Gidisu, has called on the government to set a strategic development agenda for schools, and also come up with direction that would help the nation in achieving the much-desired quality education relevant for the development of the country.

Mr. Joe Gidisu observed that quality education could be achieved in the country, only, when a conducive school environment was provided, coupled with well-equipped disciplined pupils and students.

Speaking on the topic “Unite for Quality Education” to mark this year’s World Teachers Day celebration in Ho, Mr. Gidisu said education ought to be seen as a collective responsibility where all stakeholders are supposed to play their respective roles.

According to him, the government could support teachers by coordinating activities with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to play vital roles in the nation’s determination to provide the type of education relevant to national development.

Mr. Gidisu pointed out that the teacher played an important part in ensuring quality education, because it was the core mandate of the teacher to develop the potentials in pupils and the students.

The Central Tongu MP, therefore, urged teacher associations in the country to show greater interest in teacher development, to help promote effective teaching and learning. He also asked the Ghana National Teachers Association (GNAT) to avoid acts that would weaken it.

Mr. Gidisu expressed regret that basic teaching and learning materials such as chalk and registers were not available in some schools, revealing that he recently had to provide chalk and registers for some schools in his constituency.

He continued that Parliament had an oversight responsibility over the Ministry of Education, particularly, in ensuring that there existed adequate funds in schools for educational programmes. According to him, a recent visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to some schools exposed the poor conditions under which teaching and learning were carried out.

The Volta Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr. Linus Attey, noted that the role of teachers in national development efforts could not be under-estimated, and commended the government for the continued support for teachers.

The acting National President of GNAT, Mr. Alexander Boadi, said political interference in education continued to thwart efforts being made towards achieving quality education. He, therefore, charged the Ghana Education Service to review the collective agreement, as well as deal with teachers’ pension scheme issues.

Touching on absenteeis, Mr. Boadi blamed the situation on the fact that most of the basic schools do not have accommodation, and that teachers have to travel long distances before getting to school on a daily basis.

A Queenmother of Ho-Bankoe, Mama Agblatsu, who is also an educationist, lauded the efforts of teachers in ensuring quality education, and stressed the need for them to educate pupils and students on the rich cultural values of the country.