Cape Coast (C/R), Aug. 30, GNA - Mr Isaac Edumadze, Central Regional Minister, on Tuesday stated that the calibre of the teachers was very essential in the nation's effort at building a solid and high quality education for its future leaders.

He expressed regret that private basic schools, which mainly had untrained teachers, were doing far better academically than the public schools, which had better trained teachers.

Mr Edumadze stated this in an address read for him to open the regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) second quadrennial and 49th Central Regional Delegates' Conference at Cape Coast.

The two-day conference, which is being attended by delegates from all the 13 districts of the Region, is under the theme: "Quality Education - A Panacea for Poverty Eradication, Wealth Creation and National Development."

Mr Edumadze observed that private basic schools were performing better because the teachers had the "right attitude to work" and there was proper supervision.

He said with the massive infrastructure development at the educational institutions it was possible to attain quality education if this was complemented with competent, motivated, innovative, concerted and resourceful teachers.

The Regional Minister, therefore, challenged the leadership of GNAT to reverse the trend adding that a good teacher was one who was self-disciplined, and could inculcate such attitude into their students. Professor James Adu Opare, Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Cape Coast, in a keynote address said it was appropriate to recognise education as a panacea for eradicating poverty, which had engulfed a large section of the Ghanaian society.

He, therefore, underscored the importance of quality educ ation and said it enabled persons to understand the world of science, culture, social interaction and above all the world of work and would help in wealth creation.

Ms Portia Molly Anafo, Acting National President of GNAT, in a message read for her, stressed the need to take stock of the Association's operation particularly in the days of competition that it now faced from a rival teacher organisation. She warned of the emergence of other splinter group from the Association's fold if the executives failed to deliver quality service to its members.

Mrs Justina Torjagbor, Regional Director of Education, in an address read for her stated that teachers' refusal to accept posting to the rural areas was militating against the nations ability to attain quality education.

She, therefore, asked GNAT to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to address the situation so as to enable teachers to accept posting to the rural areas.

Mr John Quaicoo, Regional President of GNAT, commended all teachers in the Region for their dedication to duty, which had made schools in the region the envy of all. 30 Aug. 05