Bediako Calls For United Teachers' Front

T. A. Bediako, one-time General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has stressed the need for the GNAT and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to speak with one voice on the economy, welfare of teachers and professional issues affecting teachers for the betterment of the two associations and the country as a whole.

Mr. Bediako made the call in Accra on Tuesday, at this year's World Teachers Day Lecture on the topic, "The attainment of a collective bargaining status-what gains?."

He said, "for bargaining status to be achieved, teachers must adhere to the principles of collective bargaining, which entails rights and responsibilities."

It also required teachers to participate in union and national activities which will enable them to coordinate their activities towards the achievement of their set objectives.

Mr Bediako, also a former General Secretary of the All-African Teachers Union, also stressed the importance of relevant and timely information sharing which he said would help solve most of the problems of teachers and address some of the concerns and misinformation that confront them.

He reminded teachers that they have a great responsibility of ensuring that quality education is provided, if they want their grievances to be addressed in good time.

Mr. Bediako said the World Teachers' Day celebration was to remind teachers of the significance of the status of the teacher and for them to reflect, evaluate and plan for the future.

Joyce Osei Agyekum, Headmistress of Labone Secondary School in Accra said quality education requires quality teachers who have quality conditions of service.

Mrs. Agyekum, who was the chairperson for the programme, said teaching was a great sacrifice that needed the support of all to achieve the desired quality education.

She asked teachers to be abreast of the provisions of the labour law, collective bargaining agreement and other vital information, saying that if teachers had enough information and knowledge about these things they would know their rights and responsibilities in demanding what was due them.