Accra: The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Accra Metro Central District, has held its first quadrennial delegates conference, emphasizing the importance of not compromising on teacher motivation and support. Mr. Michael Austen Kugblenu, the Public Relations Officer of the Ablekuma North Municipal Education Directorate, stressed that creating a safe, secure, and enabling environment is essential for teachers to effectively fulfill their duties.
According to Ghana News Agency, the conference, themed ‘The Ghana Education Service (GES) @ 50 – Achievement, Teacher Motivation, Challenges and the way forward,’ featured Mr. Kugblenu as the guest speaker. He commended the association’s members for their dedication to advancing education despite existing challenges. He highlighted issues such as administrative bottlenecks, teacher attrition, brain drain, overloaded curriculum, and examination pressure affecting education in the Ablekuma North Municipality.
Mr. Kugblenu proposed motivating teachers by providing affordable housing, clothing and rent allowances, and tax waivers for vehicle purchases to address these challenges. He also emphasized the need for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to focus on teachers’ health needs and enhance security in schools for both teachers and learners.
Mr. George Anane Appiah, Chairman of the Accra Metro Central District of the GNAT, urged newly elected branch executives to restore trust and confidence among teachers. He called on the government to provide adequate teaching and learning materials and ensure the payment of all allowances stipulated in the conditions of service. Additionally, he advocated for affordable housing for teachers through mortgages to protect them from exploitative landlords.
Mr. Appiah condemned recent attacks on teachers by students, particularly in Senior High Schools, and urged the GES to take decisive action against such students to deter future incidents. He advised teachers to exemplify positive behavior for students to emulate.