Takoradi, March 25, GNA - Excessive verbal abuse by female teachers in particular on the girl-child is affecting the emotional and confidence base of girls. Ms Benedicta Seidu, Girl-Child Officer of the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Education Service, noted that the phenomenon was steadily becoming a part of school culture and therefore cautioned against the act.

Ms Seidu, who was speaking at a day's workshop on the Management of Girls' Clubs formed in various schools, added that female teachers should rather served as role models and used words that could encourage the girl-child to aspire higher.

"Encourage girls with positive comments rather than negative comments," she said.

The workshop brought together over 100 female teachers, who are patronesses of the club to learn new and innovative approaches that could make the school attractive, interesting and girl-friendly. She noted that the introduction of the girls club was a policy direction of the Girls' Education Unit (GEU) of the Ghana Education Service aimed at increasing enrolment, retention as well as improving academic performance.

Ms Seidu mentioned that a major problem that confronted girls' education was how to retain girls in schools due to the lack of self-esteem, adding that the situation was due to social attitudes, which influenced their perception.

She pointed out that a research conducted by the GEU also revealed negative attitudes by teachers, parents and other stakeholders towards girls in their capabilities.

Ms Seidu noted that sexual abuse of school girls, teenage pregnancy, outmoded cultural practices, irresponsible parenting, child labour early marriages and poor academic performance had also been a hindrance to achieving holistic education of the girl child.