Salaga, June 15, GNA -- The Ghana Education Service (GES) is working out a national incentive package to attract more qualified teachers for the deprived areas of the country.

The package will include the provision of means of transport and accelerated promotions.

Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, GES Director General, made this known at Salaga on Monday at a meeting with headteachers.

He and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, deputy Minister of Education, are on a four-day tour of six districts of the Northern Region where the 1994 ethnic conflict disrupted the education of their children.

They are Nanumba, East Gonja, Yendi, Saboba, Chereponi, Gushiegu-Karaga and Zabzugu-Tatale districts.

Prof, Ameyaw-Akumfi said for instance, a teacher serving in the rural area would need to teach for just two years to be promoted as against the required four years.

The ministry would also transfer teachers from such areas after a maximum of five years.

"In the past, the GES allowed such teachers to languish for years and end up in the deprived areas to the detriment of their personal development'', he added.

Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi announced that approval has been given for the engagement of pupil teachers and other non-professionals for schools, which are at present experiencing a shortage of teachers following the conflict.

He however, advised headteachers not to be content with non-professional teachers but to work towards attracting trained teachers as soon as possible.

"You will need long-term plans to ensure this, however, but in the short term you can assure professional teachers who are posted to you of their safety and help provide them with their basic needs such as accommodation''

Also on the tour is Mr Andrew Kofi Britwum, Northern Regional Director of Education.