GNAT Holds 2nd Quadrennial Delegates Conference

The Acting National President of the Ghana Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ms. Portia Molly Anafo, has called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to take another look at the operation of the Distance Education programme and make it more teacher friendly.

She added that, if Ghanaians would like to see many more teachers update their skills then the programme has to be over hauled.

The president disclosed this at this year's 2nd Quadrennial Brong Ahafo Regional GNAT Delegates Conference, under the theme "Education, Master Key, to poverty reduction", in Sunyani.

The speech which was read for her by the General Secretary of GNAT Ms. Irene Duncan Adenusa, reteirated that if there is any plan by the Government in support of patrons of Distance education then it must be this year.

Touching on the pension commission report, the association commended the commission for completing its work within the sheduled period.

However, GNAT has called on Government to publicize the highlights of this interim report to generate further discussion.

Ms Molly also revealed that a good number of teachers in our pre-tertiary educational institutions lack professional autonomy to work and said this kills initiative and prevents teachers from experimenting and coming out with new ideas about how to teach particular topics and assess their pupils.

She added that it high time such a development was eliminated from our school system for teachers to exercise initiative for effective educative delivery.

The Acting Regional Chairman of GNAT, Mr. Collins Obeng-Boahen expressed the satisfaction for the government effort at fulfiling its constitutional obligation of implementing the FCUBE programme.

According to him, there has been a remarkable improvement in the provision of school infrastructure while attempts are being made to improve the supply situation in the schools.

Mr. Boahen facing said accommodation has been a problem for most teachers in some communities.

He added that some teachers work under very deplorable conditions with no good classrooms and furniture adding that the District and municipal education offices are not well resourced in terms of vehicles and finances to enable them do proper monitoring and supervision and therefore called on the government to address the issues.

According to him teachers are waiting the release of the final report of the presidential commission on pension and government reaction on it.

He expressed the hope that the report will adequately address the concerns raised by workers to enjoy better and attractive pension benefits.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister Nana Kojo Seinti appealed to teachers to abide by the new labour Act whenever there is a dispute between them and their employers.

He also asked them not embark on action that would negatively affect the nation's educational system.