General News of Wednesday, 1 August 2018

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Double track system: You can’t overburden us – NAGRAT to Government

Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh

The National Association of Graduate Teachers(NAGRAT) says it will resist moves by the government to shove down the throat of teachers, the implementation of the double track system policy which it seeks to roll out in September.

A statement issued by NAGRAT said the Association is taken aback on the fact the introduction of such a major policy, teachers who’ll be the main implementers of it, were not consulted on it.

While it acknowledged the enormous pressure on the ministry of Education and the need to deal with a gap of one hundred and eighty-one thousand students resulting from the quantum increase in students emerging from the Free SHS policy, the Association argues stakeholders’ engagement on the double track system is nonetheless crucial for the best way out.

“…We wish to draw the attention of the government on the fact that even the best thought-out- plan is likely to meet unexpected shocks, therefore the need for broader consultation and readiness to engage major stakeholders.” NAGRAT said in its statement.

It added, that NAGRAT categorically rejects attempts to force teachers to work on weekends since it’s at variance with the labour law.

In spite of the many criticisms on the double track system, government maintains that it’ll work smoothly, insisting that it has consulted widely on the programme.

Government has announced that it is set to roll out its double Tracking System which will be similar to the semester mode of learning applicable in the universities at the SHS level.

The objectives of the Double-track School Calendar are to create room to accommodate increase in enrolment, reduce class sizes, increase contact hours and to increase the number of holidays.