GNAT wants Education Ministry to control of Distance Learning

February 25, 2011
Wa, Feb. 25, GNA – The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has appealed to the Ministry of Education to control the Distance Education for Teachers Policy and delegate its implementation to tertiary institutions involved in the programme.

GNAT said it also expected the coordinating role of the Ministry of Education to include fixing of tuition fees, production of modules and monitoring and evaluation through such agencies as the National Accreditation Board.

Mr. Apanga, National President of GNAT said this at a meeting of National Officers and Members of the Association in Wa.

He appealed to the government to commit itself to support teachers engaged in distance learning programmes in the areas of subventions, release time to participate in classes and also the approved examinations.

Mr. Apanga said GNAT was not happy about the Ghana Education Service's (GES) unpreparedness to upgrade teachers who improved themselves through distance learning programme.

He said GES's explanation that it did not sponsor those teachers was unacceptable and called on the authorities to rectify the situation without delay.

“Another issue is about promotions and GNAT expects the Ghana Education Service to tell teachers the criteria for selections and the procedures it uses; teachers should be aware of all these”, Mr. Apanga said,

He said GNAT was prepared to offer its expertise to discuss the issue with the purpose of coming out with a solution that would satisfy all teachers.

Mr. Apanga said it had come to the notice of GNAT that some teachers were transferred without traveling allowances and grants as well as the use of too much discretion in the dispensation of discipline on the part of GES.

GNA