Agona Nkwanta (W/R) June 7, GNA- Mr. Jones Amoah, District Chief Executive of Ahanta West, at the weekend, called on teachers in the district, to take advantage of the current educational reforms, to improve the standard of education.

He made the call at the third Quadrennial Delegates' Conference of the Ahanta West District, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), at Agona Nkwanta in the Western Region. The day's conference was on the theme: "The New Educational Reforms: The Role and Challenges of the Teacher." Mr. Amoah said teachers should strategise to make the implementation of the reforms effective since they were more in touch with the realities on the ground. He said the district assembly, had resolved to expand educational infrastructure, increase financial assistance to students as well as teacher and health trainees.

Mr. Amoah stressed: "We would also explore possible avenues for further collaboration with the District Education Directorate and GNAT, so as to motivate our teachers to give off their best even under very challenging situations." He said all was not well with the education system in the district, especially at the basic education level and this was reflecting in the results of Basic Education Certificate Examination. Mr. Amoah said most children in the area did not take their studies seriously and could be seen loitering about in the night, attending video shows or dancing at beer bars.

"Most parents have also shirked their responsibilities and I think the earlier something is done about this, the better," he said. Mr. Jerry Hanson, District Director of Education, who was the Guest Speaker, said the new educational reforms, which took off in 2007, aimed mainly at job creation to facilitate national efforts at attaining a middle income status by 2020.

Mr. Hanson noted that the reforms is focus on critical and analytical examination of situations, skill acquisition and the cultivation of desired attitudes and practical approach to individual, community and national challenges.

He urged teachers to avail themselves of opportunities to upgrade their knowledge to enable them to be effective and efficient. Mr. Samuel Oppong Amoah, Deputy Regional GNAT Secretary, briefed the conference on the road map for the implementation of the Single Spine Salary and the New Pension. He assured the teachers of the government's commitment towards the implementation of the two policies. Mr Amoah urged the teachers to stop wearing red bands, to press for the execution of the policies. 07 June 09