General News of Saturday, 16 June 2007

Source: GNA

Govt urged to provide adequate resources for educational reforms

Takoradi June 16, GNA- The Government has been urged to provide adequate infrastructure, logistics, funding and personnel at the appropriate time to ensue the success of the new Educational Reforms. Mr. Joseph Kwaku Adjei, National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), who made the call, said teachers have already put their shoulders to the wheel to make the reform a success. Mr. Adjei was speaking when the national GNAT executives met with teachers in the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis at Fijai near Takoradi. He said members of the association in second cycle institutions who had an embargo put on their salaries last year, were gradually being paid their money.

Mr. Adjei however, said the 2005/2006 batch of recruited teachers in the area were having salary problems with the Controller and Accountant General's Department.

He said some of them were living on the meagre allowances they received when at training college although the Ghana Education Service (GCE) has upgraded their salary scale.

Mr. Adjei said those placed on the correct salary scale have not been paid their arrears and some pupil teachers who have taught for one or two years in the Metropolis have not been paid any salary since they assumed duty.

He said teachers who have been promoted for the past two years have also not been put on the correct salary scale.

Mr. Adjei also complained that every month names of teachers on the pay roll of the Controller and Accountant General's Department were deleted.

He therefore, urged the GES to work with the Department to clear all salary arrears and solve other salary-related problems of teachers. Mr Adjei said, "on the occasion of our Golden Jubilee celebration, we want to assure members that we are determined to work democratically and to ensure accountability and an open administration."