Aburi, Oct 29, GNA - The Government is to establish a National Teaching Council to be responsible for the co-ordination of teacher education programmes in the country.

Such a body would be responsible for teacher educational programmes, in-service training as well as the licensing of qualified teachers to work in the country.

Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, gave the hint in a speech read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Kwadwo Afram-Asiedu, at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Presbyterian Women's Training College (PWTC), at Aburi.

According to the Vice-President, under the National Teaching Council, teachers who would fail to meet the requirement for professional teaching practices in line with the accepted standards would be withdrawn.

Alhaji Mahama said government was committed to improving the conditions of service for teachers.

He said government had also instituted measures such as the modular competency-based training course for non-professional teachers and the upgrading of training colleges to enhance the professional competence and efficiency of teachers.

Alhaji Mahama urged teachers to take advantage of the programmes available and upgrade their skills and knowledge. He said government would ensure the training of Technical and Vocational, Agriculture and French specialized teachers towards the success of the New Education Reform.

The Vice President expressed the hope that, PWTC would produce qualified teachers needed to push the New Education Reform forward. Mrs. Rose Oduro-Koranteng, Principal of the College commended government for supporting the institution.

She appealed to government for 50,000 Ghana cedis for the purchase of land for the expansion of infrastructure at the College She paid tribute to the Presbyterian Missionaries and her predecessors for their commitment to the development of the College. The PWTC was established in 1858 as a girls' middle boarding school by the Basel Missionaries until 1928 when the teacher training programme was introduced to offer post "B" certificate programme in the old buildings, typical of the Basel missionaries.