Woyongo: There would be adequate classrooms for students

Bolgatanga, April 15, GNA - Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, has assured the public that there would be adequate classrooms for fourth year students in the second cycle institutions, in the next academic year.

He said government had put in place measures and structures to make classrooms available for the students before October this year.

These were contained in a speech read on behalf of Mr. Woyongo by Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Epsona Ayamga at this year's Upper East Teacher's Awards Day, held in Bolgatanga.

Mr. Woyongo said that "Classrooms census has already been carried out in all the Senior High Schools in the country and all schools that will require extra classrooms have been identified and construction of such classrooms would start in earnest. Parents, teachers, and all stakeholders in education delivery should not panic ".

Mr. Woyongo said that government was aware of challenges confronting teachers and the Ghana Education Service and had made interventions as captured in the 2010 budget statement, to address most of these problems.

He cited the Teacher Motivation and Retention programme launched by government, under which, government would continue to deliver incentive packages and motivation for teachers.

Mr. Woyongo said that teachers in the rural areas pursuing the Distance Learning Education Programme would each benefit from 100 Ghana Cedis government subsidy annually.

He said that Science and Mathematics Teachers would continue to enjoy three incremental credits on their respective ranks.

Mr. Woyongo said government was pursuing the integration of 33 Teacher Training Colleges in the country to tertiary status.

He expressed dissatisfaction about the spate of indiscipline among students and called on teachers and parents to collaborate to deal with the problem.

The Acting Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Agnes Atagabi said that whilst government was doing everything possible to make teaching attractive, teachers and school inspectors and supervisors were expected to work hard to ensure the success of the New Education Reforms.

She also said that "If Teachers would consciously increase the contact hours with their pupils and encourage them to learn by setting good examples, I believe we can achieve our Millennium Goals in Education".

Teachers teaching in the various disciplines from basic schools, second cycle institutions, including Teacher Training Colleges received fridges, gas cookers, and Television sets among others.

GNA