Retired CHASS Association Inaugurated In Upper East

The Upper East Regional Office of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on Wednesday inaugurated its first ever Retired Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in Bolgatanga.

The Association, which comprised retired Headmasters and Principals of the various second cycle institutions in the region, would work to improve the welfare of members as well as use their rich experiences to assist the various Headmasters and Principals of the secondary schools to improve on the quality of education.

Speaking during the inauguration, Mr Martin N. Alloora, the Interim Chairman of the Association explained that the purpose of the Association in the region was to ensure the retired Heads stayed in touch with each other and worked for the wellbeing of members.

He indicated that the Association's vision is to collaborate with the retired directors in the educational sector to make maximum use of their rich experiences to assist the Heads of the various second cycle schools in the region to improve on the standards of education.

The Interim Chairman, who is also a retired Principal of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute stated that even though members were on retirement, their knowledge and skills acquired while they were in active service could be instrumental to the development of the schools and improve on the performances of students in the region.

Mr John Bobi, the Chief Inspector of Schools at the Upper East Regional office of the GES who performed the inaugural ceremony on behalf of Mrs Patricia Ayiko, the Regional Director of Education, expressed delight at the zeal of the retired Headmasters and Principals to help improve the standards of education in the region.

Mr Bobi who doubled as the Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) said the level of commitment shown by the Retired Headmasters and Principals during their time in active service and the formation of the Association was commendable and urged other departments in the education sector to emulate their example to help improve performance.

While indicating the benefits the Association would have on students' performance and discipline, the PRO said their vast experiences and knowledge would instil discipline and moral values among some teachers at the second cycle level.

He explained that some teachers had lost the sense of patriotism and service to the nation, adding 'some teachers take salaries but they do not want to work and some are seriously involved in politics which is very detrimental to the teaching profession.'

'It is my hope that this Association would grow from strength to strength and during GES interviews, we can make good use of the Association to device ways to promote quality education.'

Mr Afelibiek Ababu, the Headmaster of the Bolgatanga Senior High School (Big Boss), where the programme was held expressed optimism that the Association would enable the active teaching fraternity in the region to tap into the experiences of the retired CHASS members to ensure proper management of schools and delivery of service.

The Headmaster used the opportunity to announce that his school had introduced other courses of study including entertainment courses and added that the school was into fish farming.

He therefore appealed to the government to improve the infrastructure situation of the school such as the provision of additional classrooms, accommodation for students and teachers, and water among others to enhance academic work in the school.