Teachers must learn to give freely - Bishop Lodonu

Most Reverend Francis A.K. Lodonu

Ho, June 24, GNA - Most Reverend Francis A.K. Lodonu, Catholic Bishop of Ho, on Wednesday challenged teachers to 'learn how to give freely, and not count the cost of reward.'

He said it was unfortunate that teachers were only interested in making more money from students and their parents through extra classes, and asked them to desist from demanding remuneration for every work done.

Bishop Lodonu threw the challenge at the launch of the Phase Two of an in-service training for teachers, and the sensitization of female students in the Ho Diocese of the Church.

The training and sensitization programme is under the auspices of the Development office of the Diocese, with funding from Kindermissionswerk-Germany.

Bishop Lodonu said the desire and pride of teachers must be the up-liftment of their pupils and students.

He said it was worrying that teachers even charged kindergarten children for extra classes, adding that too much desire for money had taken the contentment out of teaching students.

Bishop Lodonu, therefore, urged teachers to have sober reflections on their 'calling'.

Mr Jacob Kor, Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, said 'money doesn't bring happiness, but true sacrifices to children.'

He asked teachers to be like candles, 'you burn yourself up for the good of a child.'

Mr Kor expressed worry about asking kindergarten children to pay for extra classes, and was also against teaching them in English Language.

He commended the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church for the initiative, and called for support from all stakeholders for the success of the second phase of the project.

A total of 315 teachers would be given practical and efficient skills in teaching Mathematics, Science, English Language, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Studies and Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Primary and Junior High Schools within the Diocese.

Over 4,000 students, mainly girls, would be taken through effective ways of learning those subjects, with a three-year scholarship package for 210 Junior High School and Senior High School students.

A total of 105 teachers and over 200 students benefited from the first phase.

Mr Alexander Mawusi Boadi, Acting Volta Regional Director of Education commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to education in the region, saying, 'but for the Catholic Church, education in the region will not be where it is now.'

GNA