Educationist asks teachers to stop turning classrooms into political platforms

Baakoniaba (B/A), Sept 21, GNA - Nana Osei Agyemang, Sunyani West Municipal Director of Education, has cautioned teachers to refrain from turning classrooms into political platforms.

He noted that during election years, most teachers used teaching hours to discuss politics among themselves and their pupils and students at the expense of imparting knowledge.

“Teachers need to ensure that school hours are used judiciously for the benefit of pupils and students,” he added.

Nana Agyemang made the call when presenting 132 school uniforms and learning materials to needy-but-brilliant pupils at Baakoniaba, near Sunyani.

The presentation was on behalf of the Canadian Teachers Federation (CTC) in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for schools under its Nkabom II Project in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The items estimated at GH¢14,000, were presented to pupils from six selected schools - Chiraa S.D.A. Primary, Kobedi AME Zion Primary, Twumasikrom Municipal Assembly Primary, Nsoatre African Faith Primary, Amomaso Presbyterian Primary and Koduakrom Primary.

Nana Agyemang expressed concern about the poor performance of some pupils and stressed that in the past when lanterns were used for studying in the night, academic performance were encouraging.

He noted that education was a key factor in the development of every nation and children, the future leaders, needed to be studious in order to climb up higher on the educational ladder.

The Sunyani West Municipal Director of Education urged parents to ensure their children were educated without any discrimination, and announced that there would be regular monitoring at the beneficiary schools on the impact of the items on their performance.

He advised the pupils to avoid truancy but endeavour to remain in school for their training for the future.

Mr Thomas Baafi, Deputy General Secretary of GNAT in-charge of Educational and Professional Development, said the presentation was to put smiles on the faces of needy but brilliant pupils. GNAT, he said, believed every child had the right to education.

He said over the years, GNAT together with its international partners, had sought and provided educational needs of pupils.

The Deputy General Secretary of GNAT said it was laudable that politicians were making the provision of education a key issue in their election campaigns, adding “Any initiative that seeks to make education accessible to the needy needs to be embraced and supported”.

He observed that education was the best inheritance that a nation could bequeath its youth.

Mr Baafi urged parents to make their children's education a priority and provide them with the needed learning materials to sustain their interest in school.

GNA