Recruit active retired teachers for national exercises -PTA

Tanodumase (Ash), June 9, GNA- A suggestion has been made to recruit active retired teachers and other pensioners for future national exercises including voters' registration when schools are in session. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Tanodumase in Ashanti, which made the suggestion, contended that the classroom teachers who are usually recruited for the exercises were usually not able to complete their academic syllabus to the detriment of pupils.

The suggestion was made at an educational forum organised at Tanodumase in the Atwima district on Tuesday by the district education directorate as part of its programme to improve teaching and learning in schools in the district.

The PTA noted that when active retired teachers and other personnel were recruited it would afford them the opportunity to earn a little income and also curb boredom.

The association alleged that the frequent disruption of schools academic calendar as a result of the recruitment of the classroom teachers for national exercises is a contributory factor to the low education standard in the country.

In his address, Mr Richard Owusu-Agyemang, the Atwima District Community Participation Co-ordinator, was not happy that the local School Management Committee (SMC) was not effective.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang, who is the Assistant Director of Education in-charge of Public Relations at the directorate, condemned the frequent anonymous letter writing, sometimes threatening the lives and security of some teachers in the area and advised the community to refrain from that.

Mr F.C.K. Ntim-Gyakari, Nkawie Circuit Supervisor, asked the teachers to make the school child-friendly and refrain from acts that may put fear and insecurity in the children.

Nana Kofi Antwi Frempong II, Chief linquist of Nkawie sub-traditional area who presided, advised the parents and other stakeholders to institute measures that would restrain pupils from patronising video centres and other unprofitable social entertainments.