Nadowli-Kaleo District needs more trained teachers-GES Director

The newly created district of Kaleo-Nadowli district in the Upper West Region has high enrolment rate at all levels of education but the worrying aspect is the lack of the availability of trained teachers especially at the KG level which is hampering smooth operations of the education sector in the district.

This came to light at the annual congress celebration of Nadowli District Students Union (NADSU) at the district capital Nadowli.

The Nadowli-Kaleo district Director of Education, Madam Grace Bonye's whose speech was read on her behalf said since the implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), the directorate has embarked on massive enrolment drive by increasing access to basic education for all children of school going age even in deprived communities bringing the total number schools in the district at the primary level to 82, 45 at the Junior High Schools and three Senior High School in addition to two vocational schools.

Madam Bonye said in the area of quality education, the directorate has a total number of trained teachers at the KG level at 30, 230 at the primary level and JHS level and with that of trained teachers pegged at 188. The pupil teacher ratio for the district stands as follows in terms of trained teachers. Kindergarten 1:249, Primary 1:79 and JHS 1:31.

''The challenges of the district mainly revolve around the teaching personnel quality, number and commitment.

She then laid bare the challenges involved in the high enrollment figures.

From the pupil teacher ratio we need more trained teachers. Some of the teachers lack commitment adding, lack of teacher preparation, absenteeism and lateness are some of the challenges.

“Inadequate teacher accommodation in most communities leading to many teachers commuting long distances to school which reduced contact hours hence low output,'' she added.

Madam Bonye suggested to the District Assembly to embark on effective sponsorship of teacher trainees and support teacher monitoring in schools.

She advised that Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and School Management Committees (SMCs) should be sensitized to perform their roles effectively.

The president of NADSU Mr. Barazie Simon said the union became active and vibrant since 2002 with the objective to help develop the human resource base of the district.

He said the Union is involved in voluntary teaching with about 83 students from tertiary institutions accepting posting to various schools in the district as teaching assistants.

A minute of silence was observed for the demise of president Mills.